US News

A 'college for all' push thrived in New Orleans after Katrina. It wasn't for everyone

August 27, 2025

After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans schools pushed a "college for all" message. Many students, like Geraldlynn Stewart, faced significant challenges when trying to pursue this path due to financial and personal obstacles.

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The "college for all" approach aimed to lift New Orleans students out of poverty after Hurricane Katrina.
Many schools, especially charter schools like those in the KIPP network, focused on college preparation.
Geraldlynn Stewart, a student from New Orleans, found it difficult to balance college and work responsibilities.
Stewart attended Dillard University, but financial challenges and work demands influenced her decision to leave college.
The college push did not account for the financial and personal challenges faced by students from working-class families.
Stewart's story reflects common challenges among New Orleanians of her generation who started college but did not complete degrees.

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NPR Home

Hurricane Katrina forced changes at FEMA. Trump is rolling them back

August 27, 2025

Hurricane Katrina, which hit Louisiana and caused extensive damage in 2005, led to significant changes in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve its disaster response. The Trump administration is reversing some of these changes, including cutting funds and giving more disaster response responsibility to individual states. Former and current FEMA employees express concern over the possible impact on future disaster readiness.

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Hurricane Katrina occurred 20 years ago, resulting in over 1,300 deaths and significant displacement.
Levees in New Orleans collapsed during the storm, leading to massive flooding and the need for urgent evacuation.
The federal government and FEMA faced criticism for their slow response to the disaster.
Congress decided to strengthen FEMA after Katrina and increased its budget and power for disaster responses.
The Trump administration is cutting funding from FEMA's disaster preparedness programs.
The administration aims to reduce federal spending and give more disaster management responsibility to states.
Current and former FEMA employees warn that reversing these changes could impact FEMA's effectiveness in future disasters.
The administration defends its actions by stating that the reforms are necessary to improve efficiency and response times.

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The Framers wanted the House closest to the people. Redistricting may undermine that

August 27, 2025

Redistricting, which is the process of redrawing the lines of electoral districts, is happening more frequently than usual in the U.S. President Trump has prompted Texas Republicans to redraw congressional lines, leading Democrats in California to propose their own changes. This mid-decade redistricting may affect voters' representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Redistricting is usually done once every 10 years, but it's happening mid-decade now.
Texas Republicans are attempting to add five congressional seats for the 2026 mid-term elections.
California Democrats want to create a new voting map to remove five Republican seats.
The removal of an independent commission in California might change how district lines are drawn.
Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican from California, could lose his seat due to redistricting.
Redistricting could make it harder for voters to be represented because they might lose local representation.
The process could increase political polarization and gridlock in the House of Representatives.

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Flag burning has a long history in the U.S. — and legal protections from the Supreme Court

August 27, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has said that burning the American flag is a protected form of free speech. Despite this, former President Trump signed an order for the Justice Department to prioritize prosecuting people who burn the flag.

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The Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American flag is protected by the First Amendment.
In 1989, the Supreme Court case *Texas v. Johnson* determined that flag burning is a form of free speech.
Former President Trump signed an order instructing the Justice Department to prosecute flag burners.
Flag desecration incidents in the U.S. date back to the Civil War.
State laws against flag desecration were common by the end of the 19th century.
The Flag Protection Act of 1968 restricted flag burning during anti-Vietnam War protests.
Free speech lawyers argue that Trump's order goes against settled legal precedent.

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NPR Home

Tommy Coyle to hand out free school uniforms

August 27, 2025

Former boxer Tommy Coyle is giving away free school uniforms in Hull, UK, as part of an annual event he started during the Covid-19 pandemic. The giveaway aims to help families facing financial difficulties and is supported by local businesses. New rules have been introduced this year to prevent people from taking more than needed and reselling the uniforms.

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Tommy Coyle, a former Commonwealth lightweight champion, organizes the school uniform giveaway in Hull.
The event started during the Covid-19 pandemic to help families in financial need.
The event will be held at Coyle's gym, TC60, in Humber Street from 11:00 to 13:00 BST.
Coyle's previous initiatives included setting up a sporting foundation and a mobile boxing gym for underprivileged children.
New measures are introduced to prevent resale of the uniforms, including a ticketing system and de-tagging uniforms.
City-based businesses, like MKM and Cranswick, support Coyle's giveaway.
In 2024, Coyle was honored with the Freedom of the City of Hull for his charitable efforts to counter child poverty and youth violence.

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BBC Business

Morning new brief

August 27, 2025

Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook plans to challenge President Trump's decision to replace her. The Democratic National Committee chair expresses frustration with the party's weak strategies. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have announced their engagement.

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Lisa Cook is a governor at the Federal Reserve.
President Trump wants to replace Lisa Cook.
Lisa Cook intends to fight to keep her position.
The chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is unhappy with the party's current tactics.
Taylor Swift, a well-known singer, is engaged to Travis Kelce, a professional football player.

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NPR National

After a rocky summer, international students arrive on U.S. college campuses

August 27, 2025

International students faced delays in getting visas due to new rules by the U.S. government. Despite this, they have now arrived at U.S. colleges for the new school year.

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The U.S. government changed rules for international student visas.
This happened over the last six months.
Many students experienced delays because of these changes.
Despite delays, students have reached U.S. colleges.
The start of the new school year is when they arrived.

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NPR National

Nigel and the Hurricane

August 27, 2025

The article discusses NPR's Michel Martin's conversation with reporter Alana Schreiber about how Schreiber helped a Hurricane Katrina evacuee reconnect with old classmates. This took place in New Orleans, showing efforts to reconnect lives disrupted by the storm.

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Michel Martin from NPR hosted the conversation.
Alana Schreiber is a reporter with WWNO in New Orleans.
The story focuses on reuniting a Hurricane Katrina evacuee with childhood classmates.
The evacuee had lost touch with these classmates due to the hurricane.
Hurricane Katrina was a major hurricane that affected New Orleans in 2005.
The reunion highlights ongoing impacts from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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NPR National

Multiple FEMA staff put on leave after letter criticizing Trump admin

August 27, 2025

Several FEMA employees were put on leave after they signed a letter criticizing budget cuts by the Trump administration. The letter also warned against ending climate change research and was made public by a nonprofit group. The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have not yet responded to requests for comments about the situation.

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Some FEMA staff signed a letter called the "Katrina Declaration."
The letter criticizes the Trump administration's budget cuts to FEMA.
Employees involved were reportedly helping with flood relief efforts in Texas.
The nonprofit Stand Up for Science made the letter public.
The nonprofit claims that placing staff on leave is illegal retaliation.
The letter criticizes actions by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
DHS and FEMA have not provided comments on the issue as of the report.

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Axios

Cracker Barrel revives old logo after backlash stoked by Trump

August 27, 2025

Cracker Barrel, a U.S. restaurant chain, decided to return to its old logo after receiving backlash from right-wing figures, including Donald Trump, over a recent rebranding. The new design removed the image of a seated man with a barrel, which led to criticism and accusations of the company being "woke." In response to the backlash, the company's stock price increased after reverting to the original logo.

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Cracker Barrel is a U.S. restaurant chain known for southern-style food.
The company announced a new, simplified logo, removing a seated man next to a barrel.
Right-wing figures, including Donald Trump, criticized the rebranding.
Critics accused the company of being "woke," a term used to criticize focus on diversity.
Cracker Barrel decided to bring back its original logo after the backlash.
The company's stock price rose more than 7% after returning to the old logo.
Donald Trump encouraged the return to the original logo and noted it as a good publicity opportunity.

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Al Jazeera

FBI urges students to be vigilant amid wave of swatting hoaxes

August 27, 2025

The FBI is investigating a rise in swatting hoaxes at U.S. universities, which are fake emergency calls that lead to police responses. Several universities have experienced these incidents as students return for a new semester. The FBI asks the public to report suspicious activities to help address the issue.

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Swatting involves making prank emergency calls to dispatch police to a location.
Nearly a dozen U.S. universities have been affected by these hoaxes recently.
The FBI has started a 2023 database to track such incidents.
Swatting can drain police resources and endanger innocent people.
The FBI acknowledges an increase in swatting events nationwide.
Villanova University faced two hoax threats in just four days.
The FBI is working with local police to handle the situation.
Swatting incidents have led to accidental shootings and fatalities in the past.

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BBC US

Some FEMA staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter

August 27, 2025

Some employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been placed on administrative leave after signing a letter that criticizes recent policy changes. The letter was sent to the FEMA Review Council and Congress and expressed concerns about staff cuts and program reductions. The notice to the employees stated that the leave is not a disciplinary measure.

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Over 180 current and former FEMA employees signed a dissent letter.
The letter criticized cuts to FEMA staff and programs, affecting disaster response capacity.
Thirty-five employees signed the letter openly, while 141 did so anonymously.
At least two employees who signed the letter were put on administrative leave with pay.
The leave notice stated it was not disciplinary or punitive.
One criticism in the letter was a policy requiring Homeland Security's approval of contracts over $100,000.
The letter opposed FEMA staff reassignment to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
FEMA has not clarified how many employees were placed on leave due to the letter.

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Watch: 'Please give me an invite' - Americans react to Taylor Swift's engagement

August 27, 2025

Taylor Swift announced her engagement to NFL player Travis Kelce on Instagram. Young Americans in Washington DC shared their reactions to the news. The couple has been together for two years.

Key Facts:

Taylor Swift is engaged to Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Swift announced the engagement on Instagram.
She humorously referred to themselves as "your English teacher and your gym teacher."
Young people in Washington DC were asked about their thoughts on the engagement.
Swift and Kelce have been in a relationship for two years.
The video coverage was produced by Alex Foster and Madeline Gerber.

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BBC World

Trump loyalist who pushed false election claims takes on government role

August 26, 2025

The Trump administration has appointed Heather Honey, who has made false claims about the 2020 election, to a government position overseeing election integrity. Her role has raised concerns due to her history of spreading misinformation related to election results. Critics worry that her appointment could harm trust in the electoral process.

Key Facts:

Heather Honey is now the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity at the Department of Homeland Security.
Honey has previously spread false claims about the 2020 presidential election.
Her company, Haystack Investigations, conducted disputed election audits.
Verity Votes, another organization linked to Honey, made incorrect claims about mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.
Trump's administration has appointed loyalists to important positions since returning to the White House.
Critics are concerned Honey’s role could lead to spreading disinformation rather than combating it.
The Pennsylvania Department of State clarified that Honey’s claims about mail-in voting misrepresented security measures.
No evidence was found to support fraud claims during an audit in Arizona led by Honey’s team.

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Al Jazeera

Videos show impact of Trump's crackdown in one Washington DC neighbourhood

August 26, 2025

Videos and eyewitness accounts reveal increased immigration raids in Washington DC's Columbia Heights neighborhood following a crime crackdown by the Trump administration. Over 1,000 arrests occurred since August 11, with many being suspected undocumented immigrants. Local residents express fear, with some staying indoors to avoid potential raids.

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The Trump administration's crackdown began on August 11.
Over 1,000 arrests have taken place in Washington DC since the crackdown started.
Nearly half of those arrested are suspected undocumented immigrants.
Videos show federal officers arresting two men in a car, smashing the windows during the incident.
The two men arrested were identified as Erickson Sebastian Lopez-Castanon and Darwin Arahely Lopez-Castanon, both from Guatemala.
Federal officials say Darwin Arahely Lopez-Castanon was previously deported twice and faces felony domestic violence charges.
Many residents in the largely Latino neighborhood of Columbia Heights express fear of immigration raids.
Local witnesses report that even documented immigrants are anxious and staying hidden due to the increased enforcement actions.

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BBC Top Stories

Trump's Intel deal gives US stake in business - and breaks with American tradition

August 26, 2025

The U.S. government, under Donald Trump's leadership, is taking a 10% stake in Intel, a major computer chip company. This move, which involves converting construction grants into shares, is intended to boost domestic semiconductor production but has sparked debate over government involvement in private businesses.

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The U.S. government acquired a 10% non-voting stake in Intel.
The stake was obtained by converting construction grants from the 2023 Chips Act into Intel shares.
This action reflects a break from traditional small-government principles often seen in U.S. policy.
Critics express concern that this could lead to political influence over business decisions.
In the past, the U.S. took similar steps during the 2009 financial crisis to prevent major company collapses.
The Trump administration argues this move is essential for national security.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned possible future stakes in defense companies.
This strategy resembles government investment practices in countries like China and Russia.

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BBC US

Trump administration considers stake in defence firms like Lockheed Martin

August 26, 2025

The Trump administration is thinking about buying stakes in defense companies, including Lockheed Martin. This move is part of a broader strategy where the government has already taken stakes in other industries, like technology and materials. Critics are concerned about government involvement in private companies, but the administration argues it's about national defense and economy.

Key Facts:

The Trump administration is considering investing in defense companies like Lockheed Martin.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned the possibility in an interview.
Lockheed Martin gets 97% of its revenue from the U.S. government.
The administration has already bought a 10% stake in Intel, a semiconductor company.
Trump has been pushing for more government investment in various industries.
Lockheed Martin's stock rose 1.6% after the announcement.
Critics worry about too much government involvement in private businesses.

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Al Jazeera

How domestic terrorism is defined in the Trump era

August 26, 2025

The article discusses changes in how domestic terrorism is defined during the Trump administration. It mentions the FBI's reduced involvement in a recent attack investigation at the CDC campus in Atlanta.

Key Facts:

The FBI is playing a smaller role in investigating an attack on the CDC campus.
The changes are part of a broader shift in how the Trump administration is dealing with domestic terrorism.
The attack on the CDC campus is used as an example to show how these changes are happening.
The topic was discussed on NPR's program "All Things Considered."
Odette Yousef is the journalist covering this topic.

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NPR National

"Mind-bendingly ridiculous": MAGA rages over Trump's Chinese students announcement

August 26, 2025

Former President Trump announced he would allow 600,000 Chinese students to attend U.S. universities. This decision caused a strong negative reaction from some of his supporters, who are concerned about foreign influence and job opportunities for Americans. Trump argued that these students are essential for the financial stability of some U.S. colleges.

Key Facts:

Trump said 600,000 Chinese students will be allowed to study in the U.S.
This decision aims to improve relations with China.
Trump explained that losing these students could harm financially struggling colleges in the U.S.
Some supporters of Trump, associated with the MAGA movement, express concerns about foreign influence and job competition.
Trump emphasized the importance of security checks for incoming foreign students.
Prominent figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon criticized the decision.
Critics argue that Chinese students could replace opportunities for American students.

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Axios

No investigation into 'cash for questions' former minister

August 26, 2025

George Freeman, a UK Member of Parliament, will not face an investigation over claims that he improperly lobbied the government while working for a company. Allegations had suggested he used his position to ask government questions favorable to the company he advised. The standards commissioner found no basis for formal investigation since the lobbying rules were followed.

Key Facts:

George Freeman is a Member of Parliament for Mid-Norfolk.
He worked for a company called GHGSat, which monitors greenhouse gases.
Allegations claimed Freeman wrote government questions with help from the company.
Freeman referred himself for investigation over potential lobbying conflicts.
The standards commissioner decided there were no grounds for an investigation.
MP lobbying rules allow questions advocating public interest with proper registration.
Freeman received £5,000 monthly for his advisory role with the company until March.
He previously served as science minister and is now part of the science committee.

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