Some U.S. cities are losing residents while others are gaining, based on data from Bank of America Institute for the second quarter of 2026. Cities like Memphis and Washington, D.C. saw population declines, while places like Salt Lake City and Indianapolis experienced growth, largely due to affordability and job opportunities.
Key Facts
Memphis had the largest population drop among big U.S. metro areas, down nearly 1% compared to a year earlier.
Other cities with notable population decline include Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Baltimore, Orlando, New York, San Jose, and St. Louis.
Americans moved less in 2026 compared to the pandemic years, with lower-income households and millennials moving the least.
The Midwest led population growth with cities like Indianapolis (+1.87%), Columbus, Louisville, and Cincinnati growing due to affordable living and jobs.
Salt Lake City had the highest population growth at 1.88%, thanks to a strong job market, outdoor activities, and lower cost of living compared to other western cities.
Indianapolis and Raleigh also grew because of their affordable housing, job markets, and local amenities.
Median home prices differ greatly, with Indianapolis around $258,859, Raleigh $424,769, Salt Lake City $608,669, and the U.S. median at about $408,776.
Memphis is shrinking for reasons other than affordability, despite being a relatively low-cost city.
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President Donald Trump has appointed Adam Telle as the new acting Secretary of the Army. Telle will start the job immediately, replacing Dan Driscoll, who resigned this week without publicly explaining why.
Key Facts
President Trump named Adam Telle as acting Secretary of the Army.
Telle is currently the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works.
He will begin his new role immediately.
Telle replaces Dan Driscoll, who resigned earlier this week.
Driscoll announced his resignation on social media but did not give a reason.
Driscoll’s departure followed reports of disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This change is part of ongoing leadership shifts in the Army’s civilian roles.
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Thomas Christopher Ross, a Republican candidate for Missouri's state House, was charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine after allegedly trying to plant drugs on his primary opponent. Ross reportedly asked his campaign manager to put cocaine and Adderall in his opponent's belongings to frame her.
Key Facts
Thomas Ross, 37, won the Republican nomination for Missouri House District 161.
He defeated opponent Louise Secker by 33 votes in the primary.
Ross was charged with one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance.
Prosecutors say Ross gave his campaign manager cocaine and Adderall to plant on Secker.
The campaign manager cooperated with investigators and secretly recorded Ross.
The Joplin Police Department referred the case to the FBI.
Tests confirmed the drugs were cocaine and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall).
Ross allegedly encouraged the campaign manager to follow through with planting the drugs.
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The White House website launched five simple video games that highlight different parts of President Donald Trump’s policies. These retro-style games include themes like border security, health standards, and a savings plan for children.
Key Facts
The White House introduced Arcade, a set of five low-resolution video games.
"Build the Wall" is a game like Tetris focused on border protection.
"Rio Run" is similar to the game Snake, involving a Trump-like figure gathering border crossers.
"Supply Line" is a food assembly game that requires rejecting unhealthy items, promoting an agenda called “Make America Healthy Again.”
Two games are set over Washington D.C., including “Flappy Bill,” where an eagle carries a bill across the National Mall.
“Trump Savings Tycoon” involves collecting money to fund a savings plan giving $1,000 to children born during Trump’s term.
The White House promoted the games on social media using playful animations referencing popular gaming companies.
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A whistleblower inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the agency hired many new officers without completing important background checks. This hiring happened quickly as part of President Trump's effort to increase deportations, but it broke federal rules and raised concerns about safety and misconduct.
Key Facts
A supervisor in ICE's background check unit warned in 2025 that new hires were not fully vetted.
Important checks skipped included fingerprints, identity verification, and credit checks.
ICE hired 12,000 new officers in less than a year, supported by $75 billion from Congress.
A $50,000 signing bonus encouraged rapid hiring during President Trump's deportation campaign.
Some new hires had financial problems, histories of misconduct, or poor job records.
The whistleblower said the hiring process risked insider threats and foreign influence.
ICE is being asked to stop these hiring shortcuts and review recent hires to find potential risks.
The Office of Inspector General is investigating ICE's hiring, training, and security clearance processes.
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Mail ballots for the 2026 midterm elections are starting to be sent out in North Carolina despite ongoing legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s efforts to limit mail voting. Election officials say they are prepared to run secure elections even if new restrictions are imposed.
Key Facts
North Carolina began sending out mail ballots for the midterm elections on September 4, 2026.
President Trump signed an executive order in March to limit mail voting by requiring states to submit voter lists to the Postal Service and use new mail rules, including barcode envelopes.
Multiple lawsuits have challenged Trump’s order, and the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on a related procedural matter in favor of the administration without deciding the full case.
Election officials warn that confusion about the legal battles is causing voters to question if they can still vote by mail.
About one-third of U.S. voters use mail ballots in elections.
Local election offices, like Wake County in North Carolina, have been working to process absentee requests and prepare ballots carefully.
North Carolina’s Attorney General and other Democrats have joined lawsuits opposing the executive order, saying it is too late in the election cycle to change voting rules.
Officials emphasize that voting by mail remains safe and secure.
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A jury in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children, has been unable to reach a verdict after seven days of deliberation. One juror reportedly refuses to follow the judge's instructions on reasonable doubt, causing a deadlock.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the 2023 killing of her three children in Massachusetts.
The jury has deliberated for seven days without reaching a decision.
The jury foreperson informed the judge that one juror will not follow instructions about reasonable doubt.
The judge spoke privately with each juror and reminded them about reasonable doubt before sending them back to deliberate.
Clancy’s lawyer asked the judge to remove the juror who refuses to follow instructions, but the judge denied the request.
The judge stated he cannot side with one juror or the others and emphasized that jurors swore they could follow instructions.
Lindsay Clancy is paralyzed from the waist down after a suicide attempt and uses a wheelchair in court.
The case remains unresolved as deliberations continue.
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The U.S. job market showed some improvement in August 2025 by adding about 65,000 jobs after losing 23,000 jobs in July. However, hiring remains weak, pay increases are small, and there is a shortage of workers partly due to stricter immigration rules and more retirements.
Key Facts
U.S. employers added an estimated 65,000 jobs in August 2025, recovering from a loss of 23,000 jobs in July.
The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% in August from 4.1% in July.
Hiring is weak overall, with fewer people being hired in 2025 compared to previous years.
High interest rates and President Trump’s trade policies have discouraged companies from hiring.
Immigration restrictions have reduced the number of available workers, leading to labor shortages.
About 1.3 million people have left the U.S. labor force in the past year, lowering competition for jobs.
Businesses are increasingly using technology and AI to do tasks instead of hiring more workers.
The number of jobs needed to keep the unemployment rate steady has fallen, possibly to near zero.
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Gloria Steinem, a key figure in the feminist movement, helped promote women's right to abortion as central to equality. After her death at age 92, a strong backlash has emerged, with new laws restricting abortion and some political leaders encouraging traditional family roles over women's careers.
Key Facts
Gloria Steinem became prominent in feminism through fighting for abortion rights in the late 1960s.
The feminist movement led to more women working outside the home but ongoing challenges remain like pay gaps and fewer women in leadership.
In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional abortion rights.
Since then, 13 states have banned abortion completely or nearly completely, and 4 states restrict it after about six weeks.
Conservative groups and some politicians, including Vice President JD Vance, promote traditional gender roles and encourage early marriage and having children.
The Heritage Foundation suggested policies to support families, including financial incentives for couples who marry young.
Some conservatives argue feminism hurt women by prioritizing careers over family life.
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Mail ballots for the 2026 midterm elections are being sent to voters, starting with North Carolina. At the same time, legal fights continue over President Donald Trump’s executive order that aims to limit mail voting, creating uncertainty for voters and election officials.
Key Facts
North Carolina is among the first states to send out mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterm elections.
About one-third of U.S. voters use mail ballots, making it a popular voting method.
President Trump signed an order in March to restrict mail voting by changing rules around ballot mailing and voter lists.
The Postal Service must receive voter lists through an online system that is not yet active.
Ballot envelopes would need to follow new Postal Service rules, including having barcodes.
Several lawsuits are challenging Trump’s order, and the Supreme Court ruled procedurally in Trump’s favor without deciding on the case’s main issues.
Election officials say they are prepared to conduct secure elections even if new mail ballot limits take effect.
The legal battles and media coverage have caused some voter confusion about how mail voting will work this year.
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Candidates across the United States are focusing on Flock Safety’s surveillance cameras in their campaigns. These cameras use artificial intelligence to read license plates and collect data on all passing cars, which some say helps fight crime, while others are concerned about privacy and mass surveillance.
Key Facts
Flock Safety sells AI-powered cameras that record license plates and vehicle details nationwide, except Alaska.
Law enforcement uses this system to search and share vehicle data, which they say helps solve crimes and find missing people.
Critics argue the cameras enable unconstitutional, warrantless mass surveillance and raise privacy concerns.
The company claims its technology has helped solve about one million crimes and reunite roughly 10,000 missing people with their families.
Political candidates in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, and Florida are opposing or calling for limits on the cameras.
The controversy connects to bigger discussions about the power of tech companies and the role of artificial intelligence in society.
There have been cases reported of misuse of the technology by police officers for personal reasons.
Advocacy groups and some candidates want stricter rules or bans on the usage of these cameras.
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Gas prices in the United States have reached a record high for the Labor Day holiday, averaging about $4.14 per gallon nationwide. This increase is linked to ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz involving Iran, which affect global oil supplies and prices.
Key Facts
The national average gas price was $4.14 per gallon on September 3, 2024, the highest ever for Labor Day.
The previous Labor Day record price was $3.82 per gallon in 2012.
Oil prices remain around $90 per barrel due to conflicts near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments.
President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait” and claimed U.S. control over it.
Gas prices vary widely by state, with California having the highest average at $5.78 and Indiana the lowest at $3.44 per gallon.
Gasoline demand is expected to fall after Labor Day, which could help lower prices.
A recent poll found that 62% of Americans think gas prices are rising where they live.
These rising gas prices come two months before the U.S. midterm elections, with the economy a key issue for voters.
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The White House launched five arcade-style games on its website to highlight President Donald Trump’s policies. Some people criticized the games, saying the government should focus on real problems like rising costs and the war on Iran instead of making entertainment.
Key Facts
The White House released five games based on Trump’s policy ideas.
Games include “Build the Wall,” “Rio Run,” “Supply Line,” “Flappy Bill,” and “Trump Savings Tycoon.”
Critics say the games ignore serious issues like inflation and the war on Iran.
The war on Iran has caused problems with oil and gas supplies, leading to higher prices.
Some rights groups and community workers said the games show a lack of care and seriousness.
President Trump’s government continues to promote the games while facing economic criticism.
The White House posted “CAN’T STOP WINNING” alongside the game links on social media.
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President Donald Trump criticized the Missouri Supreme Court for stopping a new political map from being used in November’s elections. The court ruled that the map, which helped Republicans and was used in the recent primary, was not valid.
Key Facts
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked a new congressional map.
The map was designed to benefit the Republican Party.
This map was used in the state’s primary elections last month.
The court said the map "did not go into effect."
President Trump spoke out against the court's decision on Thursday.
The blocked map was intended for use in the upcoming November election.
Missouri's highest court made the decision in the evening of the same day.
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President Donald Trump has shortened the prison sentence of John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, a former Philadelphia labor leader, allowing him to be released early. Dougherty was serving six years for bribery and embezzlement and will leave prison to care for his seriously ill wife.
Key Facts
John Dougherty was convicted in 2023 of bribery and stealing about $600,000.
He was sentenced in July 2024 to six years in prison and had four years left.
President Trump signed a commutation to reduce Dougherty’s sentence early.
Dougherty will be released to care for his gravely ill wife, Cecilia Dougherty.
Prosecutors opposed the early release, saying Dougherty had not served enough time.
Dougherty led the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 for nearly 30 years.
Dougherty was a powerful Democratic figure in Pennsylvania politics.
The commutation decision was described by Dougherty’s lawyer as an act of compassion beyond politics.
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The Missouri Supreme Court stopped a new congressional map supported by President Donald Trump from being used in the November midterm elections. The court restored the previous districts and ruled that a petition by residents to vote on the map was legal, but the case is expected to continue as Republican officials plan to appeal.
Key Facts
The Missouri Supreme Court made the decision on Thursday with all seven judges agreeing.
The blocked map was designed to help Republicans win an extra seat in the US House of Representatives.
Nearly 300,000 Missouri residents signed a petition to put the new map to a public vote.
Missouri’s Secretary of State rejected the petition as legally insufficient, which led to the court case.
The court said the petition was legal and the secretary of state was wrong to reject it.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway promised to appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court.
President Trump criticized the court decision, calling it “horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional.”
The ruling means Missouri cannot use the new 2025 map in any elections until voters approve it.
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President Donald Trump named Adam Telle, a civilian leader in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as the new acting Army secretary after Dan Driscoll resigned. Driscoll left following disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has overseen several changes in Army leadership.
Key Facts
Adam Telle is currently the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works and has experience working for Republican senators and in the White House.
Dan Driscoll resigned as the top civilian leader of the Army after months of conflict with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll had plans to modernize the Army, including adding more drones and new technology.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Chris Donahue, both linked to Driscoll’s initiatives, also left their positions recently.
The Army is reducing support for a new drone battalion that learned from the war in Ukraine, after disagreements with acting Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve.
The U.S. military faces shortages of key missile defense systems due to ongoing conflicts, including tensions with Iran.
Some politicians, including Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, criticized Hegseth for causing instability in Army leadership.
The changes come as the U.S. keeps significant military forces deployed in the Middle East.
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The White House launched a new online arcade featuring five simple games that highlight President Donald Trump’s key policies, such as building the border wall and deporting migrants. The games aim to share the administration’s message in a fun way, while some critics say the focus should be on real problems like the cost of living.
Key Facts
The White House created an online arcade with five retro-style games tied to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Games include building a border wall, deporting migrants, and promoting a children’s savings program called Trump Accounts.
One game mimics Tetris, where players build a border wall to protect the country.
Another game features Tom Homan, a border official, chasing migrants in a version of the classic “Snake” game.
The Make America Healthy Again initiative is highlighted with a game about sorting school lunch food.
Trump Accounts give $1,000 to eligible children under 18 born during President Trump’s current term, and more than six million accounts had been requested by early July.
The arcade is free to play on the White House website and hints at future games to come.
Some critics argue that creating games on a government website is not a priority while Americans face high inflation and rising living costs.
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President Donald Trump met privately with six anti-Zionist rabbis. These rabbis are known for opposing Israel’s wars and the military draft of yeshiva students.
Key Facts
President Trump held a private meeting with six anti-Zionist rabbis.
The rabbis have criticized Israel’s involvement in multiple wars.
They are concerned about the military draft of yeshiva students, who are religious Jewish students.
The meeting happened during protests against Israeli military conscription.
The discussions focused on issues related to Israel and its military policies.
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The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a Republican-backed congressional map must be approved by voters before it can be used in elections. The court blocked the new map from being used in the November midterms, meaning the state will use the previous districts for the 2026 election.
Key Facts
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously stopped a new Republican-supported congressional map from being used in the November 2024 elections.
The court said the map must be approved by voters through a referendum first.
This ruling means Missouri will use the old congressional map in the 2026 general election.
The new map was backed by President Donald Trump and Missouri Republicans and aimed to favor the GOP and reduce a Democratic district in Kansas City.
President Trump criticized the decision on his social media, calling it unfair and unconstitutional.
The referendum petition was organized by a group named People Not Politicians and was accepted by the court despite initial rejection by the Missouri Secretary of State.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said Republicans plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, whose district would have been changed, praised the ruling as a win for democracy.
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