Senator Mitch McConnell was released from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home with physical therapy. He plans to keep working with his Senate staff and colleagues while recovering.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell left the rehab facility on August 6, 2026.
He will continue recovery through physical therapy at home.
McConnell expressed gratitude for support from friends, colleagues, and people in Kentucky.
He thanked the medical staff for their care during his rehab.
McConnell will stay engaged with Senate work during his home recovery.
The rehabilitation is part of his ongoing health treatment.
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Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens. He will face Republican Mike Rogers in the November general election, which will be important for control of the Senate.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is a former public health official.
He beat Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan.
The primary race was very close, with El-Sayed leading by less than 1%.
Over 1.5 million ballots were counted in this primary.
The Associated Press called the race after nearly all votes were tallied.
El-Sayed will run against Republican Mike Rogers in November.
Mike Rogers is a former congressman.
This election is significant for determining control of the U.S. Senate.
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Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he has left a rehab center and will continue his recovery at home. He plans to keep doing physical therapy and working with his staff while away from the Senate.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell is a Republican from Kentucky.
He was hospitalized on June 14.
He has now been discharged from a rehabilitation center.
McConnell will continue recovering at home with physical therapy.
He will stay involved with Senate work by communicating with his staff and colleagues.
The statement did not specify when he will return to Capitol Hill.
This news is ongoing, with more updates expected.
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At least 345 people in 27 U.S. states have gotten sick from a salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeno peppers from a grower in Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the peppers were sold by Coast Citrus Distributors and have been recalled, while some restaurants have removed jalapenos as a precaution.
Key Facts
The salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 345 people in 27 states, mostly in Minnesota and Colorado.
The source of the outbreak is jalapeno peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico.
At least 36 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
The CDC says Coast Citrus Distributors imported the peppers and has recalled them.
Mexican food chains like Chipotle and Qdoba have removed jalapenos from their menus as a safety measure.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating if contaminated jalapenos were sold in grocery stores.
Chipotle’s stock price dropped about 10% after the outbreak news.
A separate cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell is also under investigation by federal authorities.
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Senator Mitch McConnell was released from a rehabilitation center 53 days after his fall on June 14. He will continue his recovery at home while staying involved in Senate work remotely.
Key Facts
McConnell fell on June 14 and required hospitalization and rehabilitation.
He spent 53 days in a rehabilitation center before being discharged.
He will continue physical therapy at home as advised by doctors.
McConnell plans to stay active and engaged with his Senate team and colleagues.
This marks his first big step toward returning to regular Senate duties.
His recovery is ongoing, influencing how quickly he can fully return to public appearances.
McConnell and his wife Elaine Chao thanked medical staff and supporters.
The release happened during the important August Senate work period.
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Washington, D.C. residents will vote in November on whether to ban the sale of foie gras, a luxury food made from force-fed ducks or geese. This vote comes after the D.C. Board of Elections certified the initiative called the Prohibiting the Force-Feeding of Birds Act.
Key Facts
The vote will take place in November in Washington, D.C.
The initiative is called the Prohibiting the Force-Feeding of Birds Act (Initiative 86).
If passed, the initiative will ban the sale of foie gras in D.C.
Foie gras is made from ducks or geese that are force-fed to enlarge their livers.
Animal welfare groups support the ban, citing cruelty concerns.
The city’s fine-dining restaurants oppose the ban because foie gras is a popular ingredient.
The D.C. Board of Elections officially approved placing this question on the ballot.
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Senate Republicans voted against an amendment that would allow people to sue pesticide companies over health problems caused by their products. The amendment was part of the Senate farm bill and was supported only by Democrats.
Key Facts
The vote happened in the Senate on Thursday.
The amendment aimed to let Americans sue pesticide companies for health damages.
Senate Republicans all opposed the amendment.
All Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats supported the amendment.
The amendment was part of the broader Senate farm bill.
The vote was split strictly along party lines.
The defeat of the amendment was seen as a setback for farmworker advocacy groups.
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A recent survey shows that many Americans feel extreme heat is affecting their daily lives more than before. People report changes in travel plans, higher electricity bills, disrupted sleep, and less outdoor activity, especially in the Midwest and West.
Key Facts
Many Americans say extreme heat has a major or minor effect on their travel, electricity bills, sleep, and family outdoor activities.
About 8 in 10 Americans notice their electricity bills have gone up due to extreme heat over the past year.
In the Midwest, 44% say extreme heat greatly increased their electricity bills, up from 29% two years ago.
Extreme heat forces some people to change routines, like waking early to avoid hot temperatures.
Heat waves have caused thousands of deaths in the U.S., more than any other weather event.
Extreme heat increases wildfire risk, stresses infrastructure, and harms farming.
Democrats report more impact from extreme heat than Republicans.
Average global temperatures for recent years are among the hottest on record.
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A recent poll shows that more U.S. adults are feeling the effects of extreme heat in their daily lives, such as on outdoor activities and travel plans. However, fewer people believe in climate change compared to last year, even as energy costs rise due to higher temperatures.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,165 Americans in late July and was conducted by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
66% of Americans said they believe climate change is happening, down from 73% in September 2025.
30% said extreme heat had a major impact on outdoor activities, up from 21% in July 2024.
Heat also affected vacation plans, exercise, sleep, and commutes for many people.
The West Coast and Midwest saw higher reports of extreme heat impacts, with 35% in the West reporting major effects on outdoor activities.
81% said their electricity bills were affected by extreme heat in the past year, up from 69% in 2024.
Virginia Tech climatologists estimate 60% of the U.S. is in drought, with 20% facing extreme drought.
Experts warn that extreme heat increases wildfire risks, threatens crops, and puts strain on energy and public systems.
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A man describes how his family was very close to a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival where seven people were shot, including three deaths. He shares lessons learned about emergency planning, like giving children ways to communicate and the importance of school safety drills.
Key Facts
The shooting happened outside the Armory at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle festival.
Seven people were shot, with three fatalities and a 2-year-old child wounded.
The author's family was about 20 steps away from the shooting but escaped safely.
His son did not have a phone or watch, which could have made emergency communication difficult.
The family plans to get the son a smartwatch that can make calls for safety.
They did not have a pre-arranged plan on who takes care of whom during emergencies.
The daughter’s calm response was due to practicing school lockdown drills.
The author now values these drills despite previously criticizing them and plans to identify exits quickly in crowded places.
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New polls show that Democrats have a good chance to win key elections in Iowa this year. Democrat Rob Sand leads in the governor’s race, while Republican Ashley Hinson has a small lead in the Senate race.
Key Facts
A recent Emerson College poll surveyed 712 likely Iowa voters in early August 2024.
Democrat Rob Sand leads Republican Zach Lahn by 5 points in the governor’s race (48% to 43%).
Sand is popular with 51% viewing him favorably, while 31% view him unfavorably.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Ashley Hinson leads Democrat Josh Turek by about 2.5 points (47.5% to 45%).
Polls from The New York Times, Siena University, and Fox News show mixed results but confirm a competitive race.
Iowa supported President Donald Trump in recent elections but was previously a Democratic state in 2008 and 2012.
The governor’s seat last held by a Democrat was won in 2006, and the Senate seat last Democratic win was in 2008.
Prediction markets give Sand a 63-68% chance to win the governor’s race, while Hinson has a 56-61% chance to keep the Senate seat.
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President Donald Trump claimed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized, but the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, said the damage was caused by poor work. Trump was unhappy when charges against a citizen related to the damage were dropped, showing tension between his claims and reality within his administration.
Key Facts
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was damaged due to poor workmanship, not vandalism.
President Trump wanted a citizen, Olympic canoeist David Hearn, charged for touching damaged sealant at the pool.
U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro, a longtime Trump ally, dismissed the vandalism claims in court filings.
Trump expressed displeasure when charges were dropped and said the public saw the vandalism.
This incident highlights challenges within Trump's administration about facing facts versus loyalty to Trump’s claims.
Some Republican senators, like Ted Cruz and Thom Tillis, have suggested Trump has been getting bad advice from his staff.
Trump has made other disputed claims recently, including false statements about the 2020 election and economic numbers.
The White House did not comment on how officials brief the president or handle information that contradicts his statements.
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Changes made by a law called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" have caused millions of people, including many children, to lose food stamps in the U.S. This has led to fewer students qualifying for free school meals, and some school districts, like Miami-Dade in Florida, are now cutting back on free meals for students.
Key Facts
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" changed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the food stamp program.
Since the law passed, about 4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, lost SNAP benefits.
Children in households receiving SNAP automatically qualify for free school meals; losing SNAP can end this benefit.
Fewer children on SNAP can stop schools from qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which offers free meals to all students in high-poverty schools.
Around 18.3 million students nationwide could lose access to free school meals.
Families might spend about $2,200 more on food per school year if free meals are unavailable.
Miami-Dade School District announced it will reduce free meal programs because many schools no longer qualify for CEP.
Some families must complete income applications to get free meals, which can be complex and time-consuming.
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Republican Representative Max Miller from Ohio is facing an ethics investigation about domestic abuse claims made by his ex-wife. Despite this, Miller says he will continue his campaign for reelection to Congress.
Key Facts
Max Miller is a Republican congressman from Ohio.
He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over domestic abuse allegations.
The allegations were made by Miller’s ex-wife.
Miller is currently serving his second term in Congress.
Some Republicans are worried about how these claims affect his chances in the election.
Miller says he will not drop out of the race.
The party has until Monday to replace Miller on the November election ballot.
Miller recently appeared publicly, including a livestream on his social media account, showing he plans to stay in the race.
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California lawmakers are considering a bill to limit the use of AI chatbots in mental health care. The bill would stop companies from advertising AI as therapy and require licensed professionals to be involved in decisions. Supporters say this protects patients and therapists, while some tech groups worry it may slow helpful AI innovations.
Key Facts
AI chatbots are increasingly used for mental health advice, with about one in eight young people using them.
California Senate Bill 903 would ban AI chatbots from advertising themselves as therapy.
The bill requires licensed mental health professionals to review therapeutic decisions made by AI.
Health providers must disclose and get consent before using AI tools in therapy sessions or screening.
The bill is supported by psychologist and counselor organizations and a healthcare workers union.
The union filed a complaint against Kaiser Permanente for alleged AI misuse in mental health triage.
Supporters say AI can give wrong information or mishandle crises without proper oversight.
Tech industry groups warn the bill could limit useful AI tools and make it harder for patients to access care.
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Kirill Basin, a Democratic candidate running in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, was arrested after a fight at a beach in Maui. The incident happened shortly before the Democratic primary election where he hopes to replace Representative Jill Tokuda.
Key Facts
Kirill Basin is running for Congress in Hawaii’s 2nd District as a Democrat.
He was involved in a fight at a Maui beach on August 8.
Police arrested Basin after the incident.
The fight started after a 61-year-old man asked something that led to the disagreement.
Basin hopes to defeat the current two-term Representative Jill Tokuda in the Democratic primary.
The altercation was captured on video and gained attention online.
The incident occurred shortly before the primary election for the congressional seat.
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Vice President Vance met with Republican senators to discuss advancing their party’s agenda. The talks focused on resolving a disagreement about delaying a ban on certain hemp products, including delta-8-THC.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance met with Senate Republicans at the Capitol on Thursday.
The discussion aimed to move forward the Republican agenda in the Senate.
There is a strong disagreement within the party over delaying a ban on hemp-derived intoxicating products.
The hemp products in question include delta-8-THC, a substance made from hemp.
Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio invited Vance to speak to Senate GOP members during lunch.
The Republican agenda has stalled partly because of this intraparty fight.
The meeting focused on finding a solution to this disagreement before funding legislation is finalized.
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The Trump administration has proposed major changes to Head Start, a federal program that supports early education for low-income children and families. The plan aims to give local programs more flexibility and offer parents more choices, while reducing some federal rules. Many states rely heavily on Head Start funding to provide preschool and related services.
Key Facts
Head Start provides early education, health, and family support services to low-income children and pregnant women from birth to age 5.
In fiscal year 2024, the program served about 715,873 children and pregnant women nationwide with over $11.7 billion in funding.
The Trump administration wants to change Head Start rules to expand parental choice and reduce federal regulations.
California, Texas, and New York receive the largest amounts of funding, with California getting nearly $1.5 billion in combined Head Start funds.
Head Start services are delivered locally by schools, nonprofits, tribal groups, and government agencies using federal grants.
The program also offers health screenings, disability services, and connections to housing and other support programs beyond education.
Critics are concerned the changes could affect states and communities that depend heavily on Head Start.
The administration says the changes will reverse previous declines in Head Start slots and empower local programs to better meet community needs.
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American troops in the ongoing Iran conflict have suffered many traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from drone and missile attacks. These injuries, often called concussions, can have lasting effects like headaches, dizziness, and memory problems, but doctors cannot predict who will have long-term problems.
Key Facts
Nearly 700 U.S. service members have been wounded by drone and missile attacks during the Iran war.
Most injuries are classified by the Pentagon as "minor concussions" but can still cause lasting symptoms.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may cause ongoing problems such as headaches, dizziness, and memory difficulties, sometimes called “brain fog.”
Doctors struggle to predict which patients will have long-term issues after a concussion.
Repeated brain injuries increase the risk of a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The blast waves from explosives can injure the brain in different ways than a direct hit to the head.
New Iranian drone attacks present different risks compared to the roadside bombs used in earlier conflicts.
Some lawmakers are demanding investigations into the medical care given to troops injured in recent attacks.
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Conservative commentator Scott Jennings suggested that President Donald Trump should comment on Representative Max Miller from Ohio. Miller is facing accusations of domestic violence, and only a few Republican lawmakers, including Senator Katie Britt from Alabama, have asked him to resign.
Key Facts
Max Miller is a Republican lawmaker from Ohio.
He is accused of domestic violence. Domestic violence means harming someone in a close relationship.
Few Republican members of Congress have asked Miller to step down.
Senator Katie Britt from Alabama is one of the few Republicans calling for Miller’s resignation.
Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator, said it might be time for President Trump to give his opinion about Miller.
The topic came up during a CNN interview with John Berman.
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