US News

Fed governor Cook sues Trump administration in fight over firing

August 28, 2025

Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook sued former President Trump after her firing, seeking to remain in her position while the case is resolved. This legal action raises questions about the president's authority to remove a central bank official. The lawsuit challenges the firing based on allegations of mortgage fraud, which Cook disputes.

Key Facts:

Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve governor, filed a lawsuit against former President Trump.
Cook wants the court to allow her to keep her job while the lawsuit is ongoing.
The lawsuit questions if a president can legally remove a central bank official without strong evidence ("for cause").
Cook's firing is linked to allegations of mortgage fraud by Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte.
Cook denies the allegations, calling them false and without proof.
Trump's removal of Cook was announced on a social media platform, Truth Social.
The case will test how much power the president has over the Federal Reserve Board.
Cook states there was no legal reason for her dismissal.

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Axios

The federal government is taking over D.C.'s Union Station. What does that mean?

August 28, 2025

The U.S. federal government is taking over management of Union Station in Washington, D.C., a major train station. The Department of Transportation, which owns the building, aims to address safety and repair issues. This move has some local support because the station needs extensive renovations.

Key Facts:

The federal government owns Union Station and will now manage it.
The Department of Transportation, known as DOT, announced the management change.
Before this, a local nonprofit and Amtrak managed the station's operations.
Union Station serves over 70,000 passengers daily with more than 200 trains.
The station has faced crime issues, including a fatal shooting this year.
Union Station needs significant repairs, costing around $8 billion.
Local officials, including the mayor, support federal intervention for improvements.

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NPR Home

US Fed Governor Lisa Cook sues Trump over attempt to fire her

August 28, 2025

Lisa Cook, a governor at the U.S. Federal Reserve, has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump. She is challenging his attempt to fire her, claiming it is unlawful.

Key Facts:

Lisa Cook is a governor at the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Cook has sued former President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit challenges Trump’s attempt to remove her from her position.
Cook claims the firing attempt is unlawful and wants it declared void.
Trump argues he had reasons to believe Cook made false statements about her mortgage.
Trump cited his constitutional powers as a basis for trying to remove her.
The case might lead to legal challenges that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and the Board of Governors are also named in the lawsuit.

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BBC World

Watch: BBC interviews man who helped rescue children from gunfire

August 28, 2025

On Wednesday morning, a gunman opened fire outside a church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two children and injuring 17 others. The BBC interviewed Patrick Scallen, a local resident who helped rescue the children during the incident.

Key Facts:

A shooting occurred outside the Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The incident happened during a church service.
Two children, ages eight and ten, were killed in the shooting.
A total of 17 other people were injured.
Patrick Scallen, who lives near the church, helped rescue children during the event.
BBC reporter Tom Bateman interviewed Patrick Scallen about his actions during the shooting.

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BBC US

‘A finger on the scale’? Inside the US Supreme Court’s ‘shadow docket’

August 28, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court is increasingly using a process called the "shadow docket" to make quick decisions without full hearings. The Trump administration has frequently used this process, filing many emergency requests for fast decisions on important issues.

Key Facts:

The "shadow docket" involves the Supreme Court making quick decisions without detailed hearings.
These decisions are typically given in short, unsigned orders with little explanation.
Since Donald Trump started his second term, he has made a record number of emergency applications to the Supreme Court.
In the first seven months of Trump's second term, 22 emergency applications were filed, more than during any of his predecessors' terms.
In Trump's first term, his administration submitted 41 emergency petitions, receiving some form of relief in 28 cases.
The "shadow docket" is a method used more often now compared to previous administrations.
Fordham University law professor Aaron Saiger noted that Trump's administration regularly asks for this emergency relief, a shift from past practices.

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Al Jazeera

Exclusive: Texas Senate hopeful Colin Allred unveils anti-corruption plan

August 28, 2025

Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred has introduced an anti-corruption plan aimed at stopping stock trading by lawmakers and overturning a Supreme Court decision on political spending. His plan also includes banning corporate Political Action Committees (PACs) and instituting a lifetime lobbying ban for lawmakers. Allred's proposals are part of his campaign strategy against Republican opponents in a high-profile Senate race.

Key Facts:

Colin Allred is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
He proposed a plan to limit stock trading by lawmakers.
The plan aims to overturn a Supreme Court decision that allows unlimited political spending.
Allred wants to end gerrymandering and ban corporate PACs.
He supports a lifetime lobbying ban for lawmakers.
Allred has promised not to trade in individual stocks and to refuse corporate PAC money.
Ken Paxton, a potential opponent, has faced political corruption allegations.
Paxton was acquitted of several impeachment articles, including bribery and dereliction of duty.

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Axios

‘Total implosion’: How Trump firing of CDC chief Monarez sparked an exodus

August 28, 2025

Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been fired by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shortly after taking up the role. Her removal has led to a series of resignations from senior officials at the CDC, creating a leadership crisis at the agency.

Key Facts:

Susan Monarez was confirmed as the CDC director just weeks before her firing.
Her removal sparked several high-profile resignations at the CDC.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced changes to the COVID-19 vaccine mandates, now recommending them only for at-risk groups.
Monarez did not hold a medical degree, making her the first CDC director without one since 1953.
Monarez took the role amid rising tensions following an armed attack on CDC premises and increased staff harassment.
Health experts expressed concerns about Kennedy's approach to vaccination policies.
Kennedy's past involvement with an anti-vaccine group adds to the controversy surrounding these events.

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Al Jazeera

Majority of Americans approve of Trump's approach on crime: AP-NORC poll

August 28, 2025

A new AP-NORC poll shows that most Americans support President Trump's approach to handling crime. The poll also reveals that many view crime as a major issue, especially in large cities, but fewer see it as a big problem in their own communities.

Key Facts:

53% of Americans approve of President Trump's approach to dealing with crime.
81% see crime as a "major problem" in big cities.
About 25% think crime is a major issue in their own areas.
Trump sent the National Guard to Washington, D.C., following an incident.
He has considered using the military in other large cities like Chicago and New York City.
Crime rates fell to a 20-year low in 2024, according to FBI data.
The poll included 1,182 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3.8 percentage points.
Republicans and Democrats differ on using federal military support in cities.

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Axios

WATCH LIVE: White House holds briefing as Minneapolis recovers from school shooting

August 28, 2025

A shooting occurred at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, where a gunman fired into a church during a school gathering. Two children were killed, and several others were injured. The suspect was found dead, and authorities have not identified a motive.

Key Facts:

The shooting took place in a Catholic school church in Minneapolis.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed during the incident.
Seventeen people were injured, including children and elderly parishioners.
The suspect, Robin Westman, was found dead by suicide behind the church.
Westman had previous ties to the church and school, as his mother worked for the parish.
The police have not yet revealed the motive for the attack.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene after the shooting began.

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PBS NewsHour

How many school shootings have there been in the US in 2025?

August 28, 2025

A shooting occurred at a school mass in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a man killed two children and injured 17 others before taking his own life. The number of school shootings in the U.S. varies depending on the criteria used to define them, with different databases tracking incidents differently. Regardless of how they are measured, the U.S. has the highest number of school shootings globally.

Key Facts:

A shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis resulted in two children dead and 17 injured.
The suspect, 23-year-old Robin Westman, took his own life after the shooting.
Databases count school shootings differently, affecting the reported numbers.
The K-12 School Shooting Database recorded 146 incidents using a broad definition.
Everytown for Gun Safety reported 91 incidents using a moderate definition.
Education Week counted eight incidents with the strictest definition.
The U.S. has the most school shootings globally, with varying totals based on definitions.
The recent shooting is the deadliest this year and the most severe since the Uvalde, Texas, shooting in 2022.

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Al Jazeera

Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility to be empty 'within a few days'

August 28, 2025

The "Alligator Alcatraz," a migrant detention center in Florida, is expected to be empty soon. A judge ordered the facility to stop accepting new detainees and to close within 60 days due to legal challenges. The facility, located in the Everglades, has been part of efforts to increase deportations.

Key Facts:

"Alligator Alcatraz" is a detention center in Florida's Everglades.
Florida's Department of Emergency Management confirmed the facility will likely have zero detainees soon.
Judge Kathleen Williams ordered a stop to bringing in new detainees and winding down operations within 60 days.
The legal decision came from a lawsuit by two environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe.
Current detainee numbers were around 336, as noted by U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost.
Florida and the Trump administration are appealing the court's decision.
Building and operating the facility are estimated to cost over $400 million, with $245 million already spent.
The DHS has been moving detainees to comply with the court order.

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NPR National

Voting against arms for Israel a “totally credible position”

August 28, 2025

Former US national security adviser Jake Sullivan discusses the United States' relationship with Israel. He mentions why it is reasonable for some to consider voting against sending weapons to Israel.

Key Facts:

Jake Sullivan was a U.S. national security adviser.
He spoke about the future relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
The discussion included reasons for and against sending weapons to Israel.
Sullivan stated that voting to withhold weapons is a legitimate stance.
The focus is on considerations impacting U.S.-Israel ties.

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Al Jazeera

Mystery surrounds $1.2 billion Army contract to build huge detention tent camp in Texas desert

August 28, 2025

The Trump administration awarded a $1.2 billion contract for an immigrant detention facility in Texas to a small company with no apparent experience in such projects. The decision has raised questions due to the company's lack of a website, past contracts, and transparency in the selection process. The facility is intended to be large, with plans to house up to 5,000 detainees.

Key Facts:

A $1.2 billion contract was awarded to Acquisition Logistics LLC for a detention center in Texas.
Acquisition Logistics LLC is a small business with no major past federal contracts or public presence.
The facility will be built at Fort Bliss in the Texas desert, meant to house up to 5,000 migrants.
At least one competitor has filed a complaint about the contract awarding process.
Rep. Veronica Escobar expressed concerns about the company's ability to meet detention standards.
The detention facility is part of efforts to address unauthorized immigration in the U.S.
The Defense Department and Department of Homeland Security have not provided detailed information about the facility.

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PBS NewsHour

Fed Gov. Lisa Cook sues Trump administration to block her attempted firing

August 28, 2025

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop her dismissal from the Fed's board. The case challenges the claim of mortgage fraud as a valid reason for her firing, arguing it could impact the Federal Reserve's independence. The dispute raises questions about the political motives behind the decision.

Key Facts:

Lisa Cook is a Federal Reserve Governor who is involved in a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
The lawsuit seeks to stop her firing and confirm her position on the Federal Reserve Board.
President Trump attempted to fire Cook, citing unproven allegations of mortgage fraud.
No president has tried to fire a Fed governor before, which makes this case unusual.
Legal experts say a "for cause" firing requires due process, which hasn't occurred for Cook.
The Federal Reserve's independence might be at risk if the court allows the firing.
President Trump has criticized Fed officials for not reducing interest rates quicker, leading to speculation about his motives for Cook’s firing.

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PBS NewsHour

US CDC chief fired after weeks in role as other top officials quit agency

August 28, 2025

The director of the CDC, Susan Monarez, was fired after less than a month in the role. Her dismissal came because she did not align with President Trump's agenda and refused to resign. Several other senior CDC officials also resigned around the same time.

Key Facts:

Susan Monarez was fired as CDC director less than a month into her job.
The White House terminated her because she didn't align with President Trump's goals.
Her departure was announced by the US Department of Health and Human Services on social media.
Monarez’s lawyers said she was targeted for not following unscientific directives.
Her leaving coincided with at least four other top CDC officials resigning.
Officials who resigned include Dr. Debra Houry and Dr. Daniel Jernigan.
Monarez was confirmed by the Senate and became acting director in January.
She had emphasized the importance of vaccines and scientific evidence during her confirmation.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Guard not needed in Chicago, Pritzker tells AP during tour of city to counter Trump’s crime claims

August 28, 2025

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker opposes President Donald Trump's idea to send the National Guard to Chicago, arguing it would not help reduce crime. Pritzker points out that crime has decreased in Chicago, and he believes military involvement could cause more problems.

Key Facts:

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker told President Trump that Chicago does not need military intervention to fight crime.
Pritzker showed declining crime areas in Chicago during a tour and stated there is no emergency.
Trump and Pritzker have been publicly arguing about a potential plan to send the National Guard to Chicago.
Pritzker and Chicago leaders have promised to take legal action if the National Guard is sent.
Trump criticized Pritzker on social media, claiming Chicago still has significant crime issues.
Pritzker argues Trump's actions could worsen situations by escalating tensions.
Crime rates in Chicago have decreased significantly, with a 22% drop in violent crime in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year.
A recent poll showed 81% of Americans view crime in big cities as a major problem.

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PBS NewsHour

'My friend got hit in the back': Witnesses describe terror of Minneapolis school shooting

August 28, 2025

A shooter opened fire at a church in Minneapolis where children were attending a service. Two children died, and 17 others got hurt during the incident, which authorities consider an anti-Catholic hate crime. The shooter, Robin Westman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Key Facts:

The shooting happened at a church that also serves as a school.
Two children were killed and 17 more were injured.
The suspect, Robin Westman, was 23 years old and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an anti-Catholic hate crime.
The shooter reportedly used three firearms and fired shots through the church windows.
Witnesses described confusion and terror as the event unfolded.
A smoke bomb was found at the scene, but no bullet casings were inside the building.
Local residents and witnesses recounted the chaos and helped children escape.

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BBC Top Stories

RFK Jr. shakes up COVID vaccine policy with new rules

August 28, 2025

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. updated COVID vaccine policies, making it harder for some people to get vaccinated. High-risk groups can still access boosters, but others must consult a doctor. The new rules do not cover young children under five.

Key Facts:

The new policy limits who can get COVID vaccines without needing a prescription.
High-risk groups, like those 65 and older, can still get boosters easily.
Healthy adults and youths need to see a doctor before getting vaccinated.
The list of high-risk conditions is wide, including asthma and smoking.
The policy allows doctors to decide if young children under five can be vaccinated.
The availability and cost of vaccines for young children remain uncertain.
Insurance coverage for vaccines is still unclear and might lead to out-of-pocket costs.
Pfizer plans to start distributing the vaccine to pharmacies and clinics soon.

Source Information

Axios

From Anti-Wokeness to the Confederate States of America

August 28, 2025

The article discusses a perceived revival of Confederate symbolism and actions within certain political movements in the United States. It connects recent events, like the proposed restoration of a Confederate monument and certain federal actions, to a historical narrative of race relations. The article suggests these actions reflect broader societal tensions relating to race and history in the U.S.

Key Facts:

A Confederate monument ordered removed in 2019 is now proposed to be restored by the defense secretary.
A proposed replacement for PBS includes educational content viewed as downplaying historical slavery.
The presence of Confederate symbols in political movements is highlighted.
Federal agents have reportedly increased activities in Black communities, reminiscent of historical "slave patrols."
Discussions on race in the U.S. have included suggestions for changes to the Voting Rights Act.
Public discourse on race has seen shifts, drawing parallels with historical racial policies and sentiments.
Some commentators noted proposed actions as steps toward re-establishing older racial dynamics.

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Al Jazeera

Republican support for unions plunged this year

August 28, 2025

Support for labor unions among Republicans decreased this year, according to a Gallup survey. Overall, 68% of U.S. adults still support unions, a level that has stayed consistent in recent years.

Key Facts:

A Gallup survey showed that only 41% of Republicans approve of labor unions now.
Republican approval was previously at 49% in 2025 and 56% in 2022.
Among Democrats, 90% support labor unions.
69% of independents approve of labor unions.
Overall U.S. adult approval for unions remains high at 68%.
Support for unions has stayed between 67% and 71% for the past five years.
Under President Trump's administration, several anti-labor measures were introduced.
Despite this, Trump claims support from certain unions, including the Teamsters and auto workers.

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Axios

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