The Trump administration proposed changing the 2030 U.S. census to count only U.S. citizens and permanent residents, excluding people living in the country illegally. The Census Bureau shared this plan online following President Trump’s direction to create new rules for the census.
Key Facts
The proposed change would exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2030 census count.
Currently, the census counts every person living in the U.S., regardless of legal status.
President Trump directed the Commerce Department to develop this change more than a year ago.
The Census Bureau is part of the Commerce Department and is responsible for conducting the census.
The census helps determine government funding and political representation.
Changing who is counted could affect resource distribution and the number of seats states get in Congress.
This proposal was made public online by the Census Bureau.
The 2030 census will be the first one under this proposed counting method if approved.
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The FCC’s only Democratic commissioner says comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s choice not to air an interview with a Texas Senate candidate shows President Donald Trump’s effort to control the media. The commissioner suggests this is part of a wider attempt by the Trump administration to limit free press.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel chose not to broadcast an interview with James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate.
The FCC’s lone Democratic commissioner commented on this decision.
The commissioner linked Kimmel’s choice to President Trump’s efforts to influence media coverage.
The statement claims the Trump administration is trying to reduce freedom of the press.
James Talarico is running for the Texas Senate as a Democrat.
The issue involves concerns about political influence on media content.
The commissioner’s view reflects ongoing debates about media bias and censorship in the U.S.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates U.S. communications and has commissioners from different parties.
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President Donald Trump gave cash gifts of $45,000 each to three of his aides, including Natalie Harp. A watchdog group and ethics experts say this could violate federal rules that stop government employees from getting extra money beyond their salary and have asked for an investigation.
Key Facts
President Trump gave cash gifts of $45,000 each to three officials: Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris, and Margo Martin.
These payments were reported by the aides as “cash gifts for holiday” on their financial forms.
The gifts equal about 30% of each aide’s $150,000 yearly salary.
Federal law (18 USC 209) forbids government executive branch employees from receiving extra payment for their official duties.
The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint asking the US Office of Government Ethics to investigate the payments.
Norm Eisen, a former White House ethics official, called these possible serious violations and said the payments might break the law.
The White House denied any ethics rules were broken.
If found guilty, penalties could include fines or jail time for both the giver and the receivers of the payments.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the summer of 2026 was the hottest ever recorded in the United States. The average temperature for the summer was 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3 degrees higher than the usual average.
Key Facts
NOAA announced that summer 2026 was the hottest on record in the U.S.
The average temperature during meteorological summer (June, July, August) was 74.4°F.
This temperature was 3 degrees above the long-term average.
August 2026 had an average temperature of 75.6°F, the highest for that month in NOAA’s 132-year record.
NOAA’s records span 132 years of temperature data.
The report highlights a rise in U.S. summer temperatures over historic norms.
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President Donald Trump said he will pay every adult in the U.S. $5,000 if Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections. He called this payment a "dividend" from his administration's economic success, not a bribe, although similar payments he mentioned before never actually happened.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke for almost two hours at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
He promised to pay $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win both chambers in the midterms.
Trump described the payment as a "dividend," not a bribe, linked to his administration’s claimed economic achievements.
The arena was not full, and some attendees left before the speech ended.
Trump criticized Democrats and made jokes about his own chosen Senate candidate, Ken Paxton.
Ken Paxton is in a close race against Democrat James Talarico.
Trump has previously promised other payments to Americans, such as a "DOGE dividend" and tariff rebates, but those did not happen.
Experts and commentators raise doubts about whether the $5,000 payment will ever be made.
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Missouri’s highest judges questioned the state on how it will return to an older congressional district map after the Supreme Court stopped the state from using a new map favored by Republicans. This issue came up during a hearing about whether the Republican Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, should face penalties for telling local officials to use the new map.
Key Facts
Missouri’s top judges want to know how the state will go back to using a previous congressional district map.
The Supreme Court blocked the state from using a new map that was supported by the Republican Party.
The new map was challenged before it could be used in upcoming elections.
There was a hearing on whether Secretary of State Denny Hoskins should be punished.
Hoskins had told local election officials to follow the new map despite the legal challenges.
The court action came shortly before the hearing started.
The case involves how Missouri draws its voting districts for Congress.
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A US trial began in Brooklyn against China’s Huawei, with prosecutors accusing the company of stealing technology from American firms to grow its business. Huawei denies these claims, saying it succeeded through normal competition and innovation.
Key Facts
The US Department of Justice called Huawei a criminal enterprise involved in theft, lies, and cover-ups for 20 years.
Prosecutors say Huawei stole trade secrets from five US companies, including Cisco and T-Mobile.
Video evidence reportedly shows a Huawei employee stealing a robotic arm from T-Mobile.
Huawei’s lawyers argue the company’s success comes from competition, not crime, and that incidents were caused by individual employees.
Huawei is restricted from doing business freely in the US, with export controls on US technology to China’s telecom firm.
China’s government opposes US actions and supports Huawei in protecting its rights.
The case started in 2018 with charges including bank fraud and violating US sanctions related to Iran.
Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, was detained in 2018 but later released in a diplomatic deal; some of her statements will be used as evidence in the trial.
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President Donald Trump pledged to give $5,000 to every American adult if the Republican Party keeps control of both the House and Senate after the November 3 midterm elections. The plan would cost over $1 trillion and would need approval by Congress, and experts say it could increase inflation.
Key Facts
President Trump promised $5,000 to each adult in the U.S. if Republicans win both chambers in the midterms.
About 276.8 million adults live in the U.S.; the total cost would be around $1.38 trillion.
Payments would require Congress to approve funding, as the president cannot spend money without this authorization.
Federal law prohibits offering money directly for votes, but this pledge is a campaign promise applying to all adults regardless of voting.
Similar Trump payment promises in the past, such as $2,000 checks from tariffs, were never carried out.
Giving every adult $5,000 could increase inflation, which is already at 3.4%, higher than the target of 2%.
The government collected $195 billion in tariff revenue in 2025, far less than the total needed for the pledge.
The Supreme Court recently struck down Trump’s tariffs that generated much of the tariff revenue.
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A proposal to raise or remove the Social Security payroll tax income cap is gaining support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This change aims to fix Social Security’s funding problem and prevent benefit cuts starting in 2032 unless Congress acts.
Key Facts
Social Security is currently funded by payroll taxes on wages up to $184,500 in 2026; earnings above this are not taxed for Social Security.
The program faces a shortfall that could cause automatic benefit cuts around 2032 if no changes are made.
Democrats and some Republicans, including Senator Bernie Moreno, support removing or raising the tax cap to improve funding.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Moreno are working together on legislation to eliminate the income cap for Social Security taxes.
Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek supports lifting the cap as part of efforts to strengthen Social Security finances.
The proposal may become a key topic in the 2026 midterm elections.
Removing the cap would mean high earners pay Social Security taxes on all their income, similar to middle-class workers.
Supporters argue this change would maintain benefits without cuts and make the tax system fairer.
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Rep. Madeleine Dean criticized Sen. John Fetterman for his video appearance at the Republican midterm convention. She said the appearance was a “stunt” and that many people in her district are upset by it.
Key Facts
Rep. Madeleine Dean represents Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sen. John Fetterman is a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.
Fetterman appeared in a video during the Republican midterm convention.
Dean called this video appearance a “stunt.”
She described the video as “gravely disappointing.”
Dean said people in suburban Philadelphia are angry about it.
The comments were made at a House Democratic event.
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The Trump administration plans to change census rules by excluding undocumented immigrants from the population count used for political representation. The proposal also suggests removing questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census, which could affect civil rights enforcement and political maps.
Key Facts
The 2030 census proposal aims to exclude undocumented immigrants and people without lawful permanent status from the population count.
The Census Bureau argues these people are not "true inhabitants" or do not have "usual residence" in the U.S. due to lack of "allegiance."
Removing undocumented immigrants could cause states like California, Florida, and Texas to lose House seats.
The proposal also suggests removing questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire.
Race and ethnicity questions have been part of the census since 1790 and are important for enforcing civil rights laws.
The American Community Survey (ACS) will still ask demographic questions but is not a substitute for the census’s full population count.
Legal challenges are expected, with New York’s Attorney General ready to oppose the changes.
The plan follows failed attempts during Trump’s first term to add a citizenship question to the census.
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A former PE teacher, Bronwen James, admitted to and was found guilty of sexually abusing three students at schools in Hampshire and Wiltshire. She faces a lengthy jail sentence after exploiting her position of trust to groom and abuse these children.
Key Facts
Bronwen James, age 30, abused two girls and one boy aged between 13 and 16.
The abuse happened at schools in Southampton, Hampshire, and Wiltshire.
James was convicted of multiple crimes including sexual activity with a child and making indecent photos.
The boy was groomed through messages and physical encounters, including sex.
The schools learned of the abuse after another student showed texts suggesting a sexual relationship.
James received a warning early in her career for unprofessional behavior towards a pupil.
The Crown Prosecution Service called the abuse a “sustained pattern of predatory behaviour.”
A judge is preparing reports to decide James’s sentencing later this year.
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Jimmy Kimmel will interview Senate candidate James Talarico on YouTube, not on ABC TV, because of pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is reviewing ABC’s licenses and investigating political interviews after complaints from President Donald Trump and others.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel’s usual TV interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico will only be on YouTube to avoid FCC-related problems for ABC stations.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to revoke ABC station licenses over perceived "news distortion" related to Kimmel’s show.
The FCC started an early license review of ABC’s TV stations following President Trump’s call to fire Kimmel over a joke.
The FCC is investigating ABC’s The View after it aired an interview with James Talarico, questioning if it should keep its exemption from the “equal-time” rule.
The “equal-time” rule means TV stations must give equal airtime to opposing political candidates if requested.
The FCC now wants talk shows motivated by political reasons to follow the equal-time rule, but has not applied this to mostly conservative talk radio.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC’s threats as unlawful and harming press freedom.
Similar pressure also affected Stephen Colbert’s interview with Talarico, which was moved to YouTube after legal concerns.
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The U.S. Justice Department and Education Department said that UC Berkeley's law school is giving preference to Black applicants over white and Asian applicants. They claim this practice breaks federal rules against discrimination.
Key Facts
The Justice Department (DOJ) and Education Department made the allegation on a Wednesday.
They say UC Berkeley Law favors Black applicants in admissions.
This alleged preference is said to disadvantage white and Asian applicants.
The complaint was sent in a letter to the law school's attorney, Tania Faransso.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote the letter.
The departments say this violates federal anti-discrimination laws.
UC Berkeley Law is currently under review for its admissions policies.
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The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri congressional maps supported by President Donald Trump. This allows the state to use a different map approved in 2022, as ordered by Missouri’s highest court, ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court did not approve the congressional maps backed by President Trump.
These maps aimed to help Republicans gain an extra House seat in Missouri.
Missouri’s 2022 map, approved by the state’s highest court, will likely be used instead.
The legal fight over the maps has caused confusion just before voting begins.
The court’s decision affects control of Missouri’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Mail ballots for the November midterm election will be sent out soon.
The Trump administration pushed the Supreme Court to keep its preferred maps.
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A new report finds that about half of U.S. hospitals fully follow federal rules requiring them to share their prices openly. The report, by a nonprofit group, shows hospitals are doing better than before but many still do not provide all the required cost information.
Key Facts
About 49.4% of U.S. hospitals fully comply with the federal price transparency rules.
These rules require hospitals to share prices for their services clearly and publicly.
Compliance has reached a new high compared to previous years.
The report was released by Patient Rights Advocate (PRA), a nonprofit organization.
This is the eighth report on hospital price transparency by PRA.
Many hospitals still fail to share complete price information as the federal rule demands.
Price transparency helps patients understand medical costs before receiving care.
Federal price transparency rules aim to increase competition and lower healthcare costs.
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A federal appeals court refused to remove a block on a new U.S. Postal Service rule about mail ballots before the November midterm elections. The court agreed with a lower judge's decision that the rule could cause confusion and stop many voters from casting ballots, and said there was no proof the rule would stop voting fraud.
Key Facts
The appeals court decision came from a three-judge panel in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
The court said the Postal Service's new mail ballot rule might cause voter confusion and block many votes.
There is no clear evidence of past or expected large-scale fraud in mail voting, according to the court.
The rule requires states to use special barcodes on mail ballots and send voter information to the Postal Service.
Postal workers must check ballots and can return those that don’t meet the new rules.
A lower court judge blocked the rule, saying it was likely unconstitutional and could harm voters.
The appeals court said election rules belong to states and Congress, not the Postal Service.
The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow the rule anyway, but so far, the high court has not acted.
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The FDA is investigating a salmonella outbreak connected to broccoli sprouts that had been recalled. The CDC and state officials found 22 people infected across four states, with two hospitalizations but no deaths.
Key Facts
The FDA is looking into a salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts.
The CDC and state partners identified 22 cases in four states.
Two people were hospitalized due to salmonella symptoms.
No deaths have been linked to this outbreak.
The broccoli sprouts involved were recalled as a safety measure.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the outbreak.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning, leading to symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is finishing a tour in South America, visiting countries led by conservative governments. He is meeting with Peru’s new President Keiko Fujimori to discuss cooperation on fighting drug trafficking and reducing illegal immigration in the region.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is Secretary of State and is visiting three South American countries.
The countries he is visiting are led by conservative leaders.
Rubio has already met with leaders from Colombia and Ecuador.
He is meeting Peru’s new President Keiko Fujimori.
The talks focus on fighting drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
The Trump administration is increasing efforts against narcotics and immigration in the Western Hemisphere.
Rubio and President Trump emphasize a tough approach to "narcoterrorism," including military actions against drug traffickers.
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Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, said he would close the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and set a flat annual car registration fee if elected. He described the DMV as a large, inefficient agency and wants to move some services online and handle others at local offices.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton is running for governor of California as a Republican.
He proposes abolishing the DMV and charging $73 per year for car registration.
Hilton criticized the DMV as a “bloated bureaucracy” with high costs and long wait times.
California’s legislature, controlled by Democrats, must approve any plan to close the DMV.
Democrats hold a strong majority in the California state assembly and senate.
Hilton is behind Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra in recent polls.
The DMV budget for 2025-2026 is $1.46 billion.
Becerra’s campaign said Hilton’s plan could risk driver safety by outsourcing some checks.
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