A widespread outbreak of a parasite called cyclospora is linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce and has caused over 6,300 illnesses in 15 states, with some hospitalizations and deaths. Former CDC Director Robert Redfield advises people to buy local produce and be cautious about foods eaten raw to reduce the risk of infection.
Key Facts
The cyclospora outbreak is connected to recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.
More than 6,300 cases and 278 hospitalizations have been reported in 15 states; two deaths involved people with existing health issues.
Nearly 23,000 cyclospora cases are either confirmed or under investigation nationwide.
Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the small intestine, causing an illness called cyclosporiasis.
People get infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite, often from human fecal matter.
The parasite cannot be washed off produce once it is present, and it is hard to detect in food samples.
Experts recommend buying local produce and eating fruits with protective skins or cooked foods to lower risk.
The CDC advises avoiding recalled iceberg lettuce and following official food safety guidelines.
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Congress is close to passing a bill that would give President Trump new power to impose tariffs up to 100% on major importers of Russian energy. This law would also strengthen sanctions on Russia and Iran, allowing the president more freedom to raise import taxes without many legal restrictions.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026.
It passed a Senate vote with strong bipartisan support, 86-12.
It targets Russia’s oil tankers that try to avoid sanctions and imposes a 500% tariff on imports from Russia.
The U.S. trade representative can set tariffs between 0% and 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil or gas.
The trade representative only needs to notify Congress about tariff changes but does not have to explain or justify them.
President Trump’s previous efforts to impose tariffs faced legal challenges and were limited by the courts.
Existing tariff laws used for retaliation or economic reasons have restrictions and have been disputed in court.
Some experts warn the bill could let the president impose large tariffs on U.S. allies without clear ties to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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President Donald Trump privately told donors he supports Vice President JD Vance as the Republican candidate for the 2028 presidential election. However, Trump has not publicly said he favors any candidate yet.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to donors about supporting JD Vance in the 2028 election.
The conversation took place in the Oval Office about two weeks ago.
Trump said, “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” showing private support.
Publicly, Trump has not committed to backing any candidate.
JD Vance is currently Vice President and a member of the Republican Party.
This information was reported by The Washington Post.
The discussion reflects Trump’s influence within the Republican Party ahead of future elections.
Trump’s private endorsement could impact the party’s candidate selection for 2028.
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A person with measles visited Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26, potentially exposing others to the virus. Health officials say vaccinated people and those who had measles before are likely protected, but unvaccinated people should watch for symptoms.
Key Facts
A visitor with measles was at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26, 2026.
Anyone at the park between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. that day might have been exposed.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash.
The virus spreads through air and can stay on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves.
Vaccinated people or those who had measles before are likely protected.
Unvaccinated or unsure people are at higher risk and should watch for symptoms for 7 to 21 days.
Over 2,300 measles cases have been reported in 2026, the highest since 1991.
Most measles cases this year happened among children and teens under 20 years old.
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A government watchdog found that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) overstated its claimed savings by billions of dollars. Many of the savings listed were inaccurate, unsupported, or involved actions already underway before DOGE existed, and the group lacked transparency about its methods.
Key Facts
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed DOGE’s savings claims from January 2025 to July 2026.
DOGE claimed $110 billion in savings, but many of these were incorrect or not supported by evidence.
For example, 108 out of 264 leases DOGE said it canceled were already set to end before DOGE began.
DOGE claimed $1.7 billion saved from stopping a Pentagon IT contract but never actually ended or reduced the contract.
DOGE was created shortly after President Trump took office in January 2025, with Elon Musk leading it initially.
The GAO criticized DOGE for poor transparency and failure to explain how it calculated savings.
DOGE stopped reporting on some canceled contracts for legal reasons and ended operations in July 2026.
GAO recommended that savings data include clearer information about how numbers are calculated and any limitations.
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A U.S. Army soldier said his wife was detained by immigration officials during a green card interview in Alabama, despite their efforts to follow legal procedures. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed she overstayed her visa and has a removal order, so she remains in custody while her case continues through legal appeals.
Key Facts
Staff Sergeant Alexis Jaramillo serves in the U.S. Army and said his wife, Maisa Lopes Eliaser, was detained by ICE on July 8 during a green card interview.
Maisa is a 32-year-old Brazilian national with no criminal record who legally entered the U.S. in June 2019 but overstayed her visa.
She received a final order of removal in April 2026 and is currently held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.
Lopez Eliaser missed a biometrics appointment linked to her asylum case, leading to her removal order.
Her petition for a green card through marriage was reportedly approved before her detention, but a motion to reopen her case was denied.
More than 50 military family members have been detained since President Trump’s second term began in January 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security said military service does not provide immunity from immigration enforcement.
Jaramillo reported difficulties and emotional stress caused by his wife’s detention, which has impacted their family, especially their young son.
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Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has become the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. He is asking Democrats to come together and support him as he gets ready to compete against his Republican opponent, Rogers.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is the new Democratic nominee for Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
He is preparing to face a Republican candidate named Rogers.
El-Sayed is urging all Democrats in Michigan to unite behind his campaign.
The race is for a U.S. Senate seat representing Michigan.
This announcement was reported by CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe.
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The Trump administration has expanded a federal tax credit to encourage employers to offer paid family and medical leave to more workers. This change increases the tax credit available to employers who provide paid leave and lowers some requirements so more employees, including part-time and those with six months of service, may benefit if their employer participates.
Key Facts
The expanded tax credit is for employers who offer paid family and medical leave to workers.
Employers can now get a tax credit between 12.5% and 25% of wages paid during leave, up to 12 weeks per year.
Starting in 2026, employers can also claim the credit for insurance premiums on paid leave policies.
Employees with at least six months of service qualify, down from 12 months before.
Part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week can now be covered.
The credit applies only if employers choose to offer paid leave; there is no federal mandate requiring it.
The U.S. remains the only OECD country without a national law requiring paid family and medical leave.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) currently allows eligible employees unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, but this does not guarantee paid leave.
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A recent poll shows that more Americans feel extreme heat affects different parts of their daily lives. Half of the people surveyed said hot weather has disturbed their sleep in the past year.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
50% of respondents reported that extreme heat had a major or minor impact on their sleep.
39% said that extreme heat impacted another part of their life (the article snippet cuts off details here).
The poll measures how heat affects people's day-to-day experiences.
The results indicate growing concern about the effects of very hot weather.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased arrests of immigrants at airports. The number of people arrested in airport terminals is higher than before as part of President Donald Trump’s stricter immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
ICE is focusing more on arresting immigrants passing through airports.
Arrests at airport terminals have reached their highest levels recently.
These actions are part of President Trump’s tougher immigration policies.
The increased airport enforcement reflects broader immigration crackdown efforts.
CBS News correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez reported on this development.
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Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was hospitalized after a TikTok livestream showed him self-harming. His family said he is now able to communicate and is receiving medical care, thanking supporters for their concern.
Key Facts
Perez Hilton appeared to self-harm during a TikTok livestream on Tuesday night.
Viewers alerted authorities, and emergency responders went to his Miami home.
Hilton was taken to the hospital and his TikTok account was suspended.
His family said the situation has been very difficult but remains hopeful about his recovery.
The Miami-Dade sheriff’s office confirmed they responded to reports of a man livestreaming self-harm.
Video recordings of the livestream spread quickly across other social media platforms.
Users advised others to mute and disable video autoplay to avoid seeing the footage.
Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, is known for his celebrity gossip blog started in 2004.
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Police in Avondale, Arizona, are investigating the disappearance of three family members from their home. Authorities suspect that something suspicious, possibly a crime, may have happened.
Key Facts
Three people from the same family went missing in Avondale, Arizona.
Police believe there could be foul play involved, meaning a crime might have occurred.
The investigation is ongoing as officers search for leads.
The case has raised concerns in the local community.
There are no confirmed reports on the condition or whereabouts of the missing family members.
Authorities are asking the public for any information that could help.
The disappearance was reported on August 6, 2026.
No further details about the family or the circumstances have been released yet.
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More Americans report that extreme heat is affecting many parts of their daily lives, including health, outdoor activities, travel, and power bills. A recent survey shows these effects have increased compared to two years ago, with people in the West and Midwest particularly noticing the changes.
Key Facts
90% of Americans say extreme heat has impacted their lives at least a little, up from 83% two years ago.
80% say extreme heat has affected their power bills, up from 69% in 2024.
68% say extreme heat has impacted their outdoor activities, up from 57%.
42% say their travel or vacation plans have been affected, up from 26%.
People living in the West and Midwest report more impact from extreme heat due to recent dangerous heat waves.
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say heat has had a major effect on their lives.
Climate change is making extreme heat events happen more often and with greater intensity.
The percentage of Americans who believe climate change is occurring dropped from 73% last year to 66% in this survey.
The survey interviewed 1,165 adults in July 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
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In Michigan, more than half of renters spend too much of their income on housing, making affordability a key issue in the upcoming Senate race. Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers both focus on housing but propose different solutions to help Michiganders with the rising cost of living.
Key Facts
In Michigan, 51% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, showing many face high housing costs.
The median home price in Michigan is $293,956, lower than the national average of $398,771.
Michigan’s median household income is $72,875, which often doesn’t keep pace with housing prices.
Over 550,000 renting households in Michigan are "cost-burdened," meaning their rent takes up too much income.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee, focuses on lowering costs and helping people afford basic needs like housing.
Republican Mike Rogers emphasizes expanding homeownership to help more people build wealth through buying houses.
Housing affordability is a top concern for younger voters aged 18 to 34, a key group in deciding elections.
Both candidates aim to address housing for young families and new workers as part of their campaign messages.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing criticism from several Republican senators and his public favorability has declined, according to a recent poll. Reports say President Trump confronted Hegseth over munitions shortages in the Iran war, though the White House denies these claims and affirms confidence in Hegseth.
Key Facts
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Susan Collins expressed loss of confidence and concern over Hegseth’s handling of military leadership and the Iran conflict.
A July Marquette Law School poll found Hegseth’s net favorability at minus 22, with 23% favorable and 45% unfavorable ratings.
Hegseth ranked as the least familiar figure among surveyed administration officials, with 32% of adults not having enough information about him.
In an earlier May poll, Hegseth had higher favorability among Republicans but was still lowest among tested Republicans.
President Trump reportedly confronted Hegseth at Camp David about unaddressed shortages of munitions needed for operations in Iran.
Hegseth allegedly blamed Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg for the munitions shortages and communication issues.
The White House press secretary and Pentagon spokesman denied the reports of conflict and misinformation.
President Trump stated on Truth Social that the U.S. has ample munitions and criticized those leaking information to the media.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has taken personal steps to review early prison releases for men convicted of crimes related to grooming gangs after concerns that some offenders might be freed under new rules. About 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released early in England and Wales due to a change aimed at reducing overcrowding in jails, but some exclusions may not cover all grooming gang convictions.
Key Facts
The government is urgently checking if any grooming gang offenders could still be released early under new sentencing changes.
Prime Minister Burnham personally asked the Ministry of Justice to review these cases carefully.
Early release rules aim to free around 5,000 prisoners but exclude grooming gang members, rapists, and serious child sex offenders.
Some men convicted before 2003 faced charges such as indecent assault, which may not be excluded from the early release plan.
Labour blames the previous Conservative government for prison overcrowding by increasing sentences without building enough prisons.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the government for not clearly defining which offenses qualify for early release.
The scheme may also allow early release for two men convicted of manslaughter in the killing of police officer Andrew Harper, which has raised concern.
The Thames Valley police chief is considering legal action against the early release plan related to Andrew Harper’s killers.
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started a new policy that lets officials deny green card and other immigration applications without asking for missing documents first. This change affects both new and pending cases and aims to reduce incomplete or unnecessary applications.
Key Facts
The new policy began on August 5.
USCIS can now deny requests without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) if required documents are missing.
This change applies to green cards, work permits, citizenship, and other immigration benefits.
The policy affects both newly filed and already pending applications.
USCIS says the move aligns with federal rules and helps prevent incomplete filings that slow down processing.
The decision to give applicants a chance to fix their application before denial is now up to USCIS officers.
USCIS has also shortened some deadlines for applicants to respond to requests.
Immigration lawyers warn applicants who miss documents may face quick denials, especially those without legal help.
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The article states that America does not pay tribute, either as illegal fees or legal payments. It emphasizes that the United States does not engage in such practices.
Key Facts
America does not pay tribute to others.
Tribute can mean illegal tolls or official payments.
The U.S. refuses to make such payments.
Tribute refers to money paid to stop attacks or gain protection.
The article highlights the country's stance against paying these fees.
It implies a strong position on national sovereignty and security.
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In July, the number of job cuts in the U.S. dropped to the lowest point in two years, showing the job market is still strong despite inflation and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). AI caused about one-third of July’s layoffs, mostly in the tech sector, but workers are finding new jobs at a steady pace.
Key Facts
U.S. employers announced 33,429 job cuts in July, 46% fewer than last year.
July layoffs were the lowest since July 2024, when about 26,000 cuts were made.
Weekly unemployment benefit claims are below 200,000 for the first time since October 2022.
AI-related layoffs made up 33% of all July job cuts and mainly affected the technology industry.
Despite layoffs, new hires in June were fewer than expected, with only 57,000 jobs added.
The overall unemployment rate in the U.S. is 4.2%, which is low compared to past years.
Job openings are stable but have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Entry-level corporate job listings have dropped 15%, while job applications per opening have increased by 30%.
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Tennessee is holding primary elections for governor and U.S. House nominees. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Representative John Rose are competing in the Republican race to replace term-limited Governor Bill Lee.
Key Facts
Tennessee's current governor, Bill Lee, cannot run again due to term limits.
Senator Marsha Blackburn is running for governor after winning re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
U.S. Representative John Rose is also running for governor and has loaned his campaign about $13 million.
Blackburn has raised more campaign money than Rose, excluding his personal loans.
An outside group has spent around $5.1 million supporting Blackburn and opposing Rose.
New congressional maps have forced a longtime Democratic representative from Memphis into retirement.
Memphis voters will choose new U.S. House nominees for the first time under these new district boundaries.
Tennessee has not elected a Democratic governor in the last 20 years.
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