🇺🇸 US

AI-Powered Stuffed Animals: A Screen-Free Playtime Revolution
August 15 @ 10:16am ET  
AI-powered stuffed animals are emerging as screen-free alternatives for kids, engaging them with stories and games. However, privacy concerns and questions about replacing parental attention linger amid their growing popularity.
Dale Webster, Legendary Surfer of 40-Year Streak, Passes at 76
August 15 @ 9:31am ET  
Dale Webster, known as 'Daily Dale,' passed away at 76 after surfing 14,641 consecutive days over 40 years. His Guinness World Record and enduring passion inspire surfers worldwide.
Britney Spears' Wardrobe Mishap in Gold Minidress Dance Video Goes Viral
August 15 @ 9:20am ET  
Britney Spears' latest Instagram dance video in a gold minidress went viral due to a wardrobe malfunction. The pop icon cleverly used flower emojis to cover up, maintaining her focus on performance.
Texas Woman Sues Marine Over Alleged Abortion Pill Spiking in Drink
August 15 @ 8:46am ET  
A Texas woman, Liana Davis, is suing a U.S. Marine for allegedly spiking her hot chocolate with abortion pills, causing the loss of her unborn child. The federal wrongful-death lawsuit raises serious questions about consent and reproductive rights.
Unpacking Trump's Defense on Jeffrey Epstein Files Controversy
August 15 @ 7:16am ET  
President Trump faces growing criticism over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, with many questioning transparency. His tactics of deflection and denial have deepened political divides on this contentious issue.
Halle Berry Marks 59th Birthday with a Sharp Response to David Justice's Remarks
August 15 @ 6:50am ET  
Halle Berry celebrated her 59th birthday with vacation photos and a witty response to ex-husband David Justice's remarks about her not being 'motherly.' Her Instagram caption, 'Phew...! cooking, cleaning and mothering,' made waves online.
SpaceX Tax Avoidance: Elon Musk's Firm Skirts Federal Payments
August 15 @ 6:15am ET  
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, reportedly avoids federal income taxes due to years of losses, despite securing $22 billion in government contracts. This raises questions about corporate accountability and taxpayer fairness.
Senators Demand Investigation Into Meta's AI Chatbot Policies for Kids
August 15 @ 3:30am ET  
U.S. senators are demanding a probe into Meta after a report revealed its AI chatbots engaged in 'romantic or sensual' conversations with children. Lawmakers stress accountability and child safety.
Attorney General Bondi Targets Sanctuary Cities with Legal Threats
August 14 @ 8:30pm ET  
Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent demand letters to sanctuary jurisdictions, threatening legal action and loss of federal funds. Non-compliance with immigration laws could lead to prosecution of local leaders.
Margaret Boden, AI Philosopher and Cognitive Scientist, Passes at 88
August 14 @ 8:16pm ET  
Margaret Boden, a pioneer in AI and cognitive science, died on July 18 at 88. Her work on human thought and creativity through computing continues to shape ethical AI discussions.
Pete Davidson's Tattoo Journey: Hillary Clinton Ink Stays Amid Removal
August 14 @ 7:21pm ET  
Pete Davidson is removing many of his 200 tattoos, but his Hillary Clinton ink will stay. The comedian recently affirmed, 'Hillary is staying. I love that Hillary,' amid his ongoing, painful removal process.
Court Mandates Sale of Infowars to Compensate Sandy Hook Families
August 14 @ 7:16pm ET  
A Texas judge ordered the sale of Alex Jones' Infowars on August 14 to pay over $1 billion to Sandy Hook families. This ruling follows years of legal battles over Jones' defamatory claims about the 2012 tragedy.
Supreme Court Upholds Mississippi Social Media Law for Minors Temporarily
August 14 @ 6:15pm ET  
The Supreme Court has allowed a Mississippi law requiring age verification and parental consent for social media use to take effect. This decision sparks debate over child safety versus First Amendment rights.
Florida's New 'Deportation Depot' Sparks Immigration Debate
August 14 @ 5:46pm ET  
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new immigration detention center, 'Deportation Depot,' in North Florida. This follows controversy over 'Alligator Alcatraz' amid lawsuits over conditions and rights.
Nicholas Rossi Convicted of Rape in Utah After Faking Death and Fleeing
August 14 @ 5:03pm ET  
Nicholas Rossi, who faked his death and fled to Scotland, was convicted of a 2008 rape in Utah on August 14. Extradited in 2024, he faces up to five years in prison and another trial for a separate assault.
Kate Gosselin's Return to Nursing Amid Financial Struggles Post-Reality TV
August 14 @ 4:50pm ET  
Kate Gosselin, former 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' star, returns to nursing with 12-hour shifts due to financial struggles. She cites legal battles and raising eight kids as reasons for her 'sickening' money woes.
Texas Bakery Owners Convicted for Harboring Undocumented Workers
August 14 @ 4:21pm ET  
Leonardo Baez and Nora Avila-Guel, owners of Abby's Bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas, were convicted for harboring undocumented workers on August 13. They face up to 10 years in prison after a federal raid uncovered eight illegal employees.
Apple Watch Restores Blood Oxygen Feature with New Software Update
August 14 @ 4:16pm ET  
Apple has reinstated blood oxygen tracking on U.S. Apple Watch models via a software update after an 18-month patent dispute with Masimo. The feature returns through iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, shifting processing to the iPhone.
Trump Honors Social Security's 90th Anniversary with Bold Reforms
August 14 @ 4:01pm ET  
President Trump celebrated the 90th anniversary of Social Security on August 14, highlighting his administration's reforms. Modernization efforts and tax relief for seniors were key focuses of his proclamation.
Democrats Mobilize Across States to Oppose Redistricting Plans
August 14 @ 1:31pm ET  
Democrats are staging protests in over 30 states against Republican redistricting plans for the 2026 elections. The DNC leads rallies to oppose Trump-backed maps that could shift Congress control.
Trump's Kennedy Center Takeover: Pop Culture and Controversy Collide
August 14 @ 1:15pm ET  
President Trump has reshaped the Kennedy Center as chairman, pushing a 'non-woke' agenda. His influence on the 2025 Honors and programming has led to declining sales and artist exits.
Star-Studded 'Highest 2 Lowest' Premiere Shines in Los Angeles with Denzel Washington
August 14 @ 11:50am ET  
The 'Highest 2 Lowest' premiere in Los Angeles dazzled with stars like Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky. Spike Lee's neo-noir thriller, set for release on August 15, promises a cinematic treat.
US Jobless Claims Drop Slightly Amid Labor Market Uncertainty
August 14 @ 11:31am ET  
US jobless claims dropped to 224,000 for the week ending August 9, signaling slight improvement. However, labor market uncertainty persists with slow job creation and economic challenges ahead.
Solomon Peña Sentenced to 80 Years for New Mexico Political Shootings
August 14 @ 11:03am ET  
Solomon Peña, a failed Republican candidate, was sentenced to 80 years for orchestrating shootings at Democratic officials' homes in New Mexico. The attacks, driven by election conspiracy theories, targeted lawmakers after his 2022 loss.
US Wholesale Inflation Surges 0.9% in July, Raising Economic Concerns
August 14 @ 10:31am ET  
US wholesale inflation surged 0.9% in July, far exceeding expectations and raising concerns about consumer prices. The annual rate hit 3.3%, prompting uncertainty over Federal Reserve rate decisions.
Florida's Black Bear Hunt Returns After Decade-Long Hiatus
August 14 @ 10:16am ET  
Florida's first black bear hunt in a decade, set for December 6-28, 2025, was approved by the FWC despite strong opposition. The hunt targets 187 bears to manage population growth, amid fears of trophy hunting.
Nevada Prisons Face Crisis: 4 Inmate Deaths Linked to Drug Debts
August 14 @ 9:34am ET  
Four inmates were killed in less than a month at two Nevada prisons, with drug debts cited as a factor. The Nevada Department of Corrections is investigating and has tightened security at the facilities.
Philadelphia Brinks Truck Heist: 3 Arrested in $2 Million Robbery
August 14 @ 8:45am ET  
Three men, including a former Brinks employee, were arrested for stealing over $2 million from an armored truck in Philadelphia. This heist is part of a string of similar crimes in the area this summer.
Trump Appoints Rosner as FERC Chair in Bid to Transform Energy Oversight
August 14 @ 8:30am ET  
President Trump has appointed Democrat David Rosner as FERC chairman, a likely temporary move until Laura Swett's Senate confirmation. This shift signals Trump's intent to reshape energy regulation amid growing industry demands.
Trump Reverses Biden's Economic Competition Order Amid Policy Shift
August 14 @ 7:31am ET  
President Trump revoked Biden's 2021 executive order on economic competition on August 13, targeting corporate abuses. This move sparks debate over consumer costs and corporate accountability in the U.S. economy.
Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Ethics Concerns Over Asset Divestment Delays
August 14 @ 7:15am ET  
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faces ethics concerns for failing to divest assets like farmland by the agreed deadline. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics warns of potential conflicts of interest in his policymaking role.
California Energy Commission Postpones Key Vote on Gasoline Refinery Rules
August 14 @ 7:02am ET  
The California Energy Commission has postponed a vote on easing gasoline refinery rules under a 2023 law. The delay aims to gather more public input amid concerns over fuel supply and prices.