Desmond Milligan

Hurricane Erin is not a major hurricane, weakening to a Category 2 hurricane this morning as it moves closer to the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 11 a.m. Aug. 19, Erin was located 650 miles southwest of Bermuda and 690 miles from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It has sustained winds of 105 mph and is moving northwest at 10 mph. It will start making its turn north on Aug. 19. The center of Erin will pass to the east of the Bahamas on Aug. 19 and 20 and then move over the western Atlantic between the East Coast and Bermuda on Aug. 20 and 21. The forecasted path of Hurricane ErinHow will Hurricane Erin impact the East Coast, Delaware?Big waves and rough surf are expected along the Atlantic Coast from Central Florida to Canada as powerful and massive Hurricane Erin begins its slow cruise northward hundreds of miles offshore. Erin is expected to grow in size throughout the week with dangerous rip currents along East Coast beaches. Delaware's Atlantic coastline is under a high risk for rip currents Aug. 19 and 20. Along the Delaware beaches and Jersey Shore, seas will build from 8 to 12 feet with beach erosion and coastal flooding expected, according to the National Weather Service The rip current risk will be high through at least Aug. 21, the weather service said. When is Hurricane Erin supposed to hit Delaware?While the storm is not expected to make landfall, dangerous rip currents and breaking waves are forecast from East Central Florida to Canada's Atlantic Coast beginning Aug. 19, Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan has warned. Brennan is pleading with U.S. residents to take Erin's potential coastal impacts seriously, even though the nation will be spared a direct landfall. Offshore wave heights could exceed 20 to 30 feet. High tides also are expected to bring higher-than-normal water levels further southward along the coast, the weather service has warned. "It's not going to be a safe environment to be in the ocean," Brennan said, adding that even when the weather may be pleasant on shore, dangerous and possibly life-threatening rip currents could be lurking in the water. Delaware can expect to start feeling tropical storm-force winds by Aug. 20. The forecast for Hurricane Erin winds.Hurricane Erin causes Delaware beaches to halt swimmingAs Hurricane Erin gets closer, Delaware beaches are closed to swimmers for the second day in a row. Due to rip currents and rough surf, ocean access was closed in Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany beaches Aug. 19. The beach remains open in all three towns. Rehoboth Beach lifeguards are prepared to keep the beach closed for swimming through Friday but will assess conditions daily, Rehoboth spokesperson Erin Corcoran said. In Bethany Beach, there is a possibility of full beach closures later in the week, Bethany Beach Patrol Captain Joe Donnelly said. What are Hurricane Erin's spaghetti models?Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. What's next behind Hurricane Erin?Following behind Erin is yet another tropical wave that's given a 60% chance of becoming a tropical storm over the next seven days, the hurricane center said. A third disturbance just moved off the West African coast, but it's expected to encounter hostile conditions that may limit its further development. What is a rip current?According to NOAA, rip currents are channeled currents of water that flow away from the shore out past the line of breaking waves. They form from water piling up between the breaking waves and the beach. As the water returns from the shore, it forms a narrow stream of water that moves quickly out to sea. What to do in a rip currentA poster explaining how to recognize and escape a rip current.According to the United States Lifesaving Association, swimmers should do the following: Relax, rip currents don't pull you under. Don’t swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. You may be able to escape by floating or treading water if the current circulates back toward shore. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance. When is hurricane season?Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. However, hurricanes can occur before and after those dates. What are the categories for tropical cyclones and hurricanes?Tropical stormA tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with winds between 39 and 73 mph. These storms bring heavy rains that could lead to dangerous flooding. Category 1A category 1 storm is the weakest of the hurricanes with winds between 74 and 95 mph. The storm will cause some flooding, but no real structural damage. Category 2A category 2 storm has winds between 96 and 110 mph. The storm can cause moderate damage to buildings. Category 3A category 3 storm will have winds from 111-129 mph. It can cause major damage to well-built framed homes, uproot trees and cause power and communication outages. Category 4A category 4 storm can cause catastrophic damage to well-built framed homes, tearing off roofs and breaking exterior walls. Mobile homes are destroyed. Roads are impassible and there are communication and power outages. Category 5A category 5 storm can cause catastrophic damage with most framed homes and mobile homes being destroyed. Trees will be snapped and uprooted. Roads will be impassible and there will be extended power and communication outages. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hurricane Erin tracker: Latest forecast for category 2 storm View the full article

Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Police in Wisconsin responded to "an unusual home intrusion" involving a gang of "multiple masked suspects" -- raccoons. The Wausau Police Department said on social media that multiple raccoons made their way into the home on the city's east side, and two lookouts were spotted "loitering on the roof -- almost taunting the responding officers." Police said no arrests were made, "but the raccoons did receive a firm warning to vacate the premises (this warning was largely ignored)." The department said the incident should serve as a reminder to keep homes secured from wildlife and ensure trash cans, pet food and bird feeders are out of reach of unwanted diners. "As always, if there's an immediate safety concern, call us and we'll help make sure everyone stays safe," the post said. "These 'masked bandits' may look cute, but it's best to admire them from a distance!" View the full article

NEED TO KNOWKristin Cavallari opened up about her "lack of" sex this year as she revealed she hasn't been dating on the latest episode of her Let's Be Honest podcast Cavallari split from ex Mark Estes in late 2024 and shared she just recently went on her first date in a while The Uncommon James founder also said that she gets "a lot" of what she needs in a relationship from her best friend Justin Anderson Kristin Cavallari is having a bit of a dry spell in her dating life. The 38-year-old reality star opened up about the first half of 2025 for her romantically on the Tuesday, Aug. 19 episode of her Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari podcast. While discussing friendships, she touched on her longtime pal Justin Anderson, saying that she finds a lot of what she needs from her hair stylist bestie. “I really am able to get a lot from Justin, which, hey, maybe that’s why I haven’t felt the need to settle or make a man work because I’m gained a lot from Justin that I would need from a man,” Cavallari mused, before adding, “Other than sex, obviously, which we won’t even go there ‘cause the lack of that is, that’s really sad.” Kristin Cavallari/Instagram Kristin Cavallari and her best friend Justin AndersonThe Hills alum noted that she hasn’t been in the dating scene this year after her October 2024 split from her former boyfriend of seven months, Mark Estes. “I haven’t been dating this year, you guys. I haven’t been dating,” she shared. “I did just go on a date, and it was a great date and it was a really great first date back in the game … but I am kind of back out there, not back out there. I went on one date. But I was excited to go on a date.” Kristin Cavallari/ Instagram Kristin Cavallari and ex Mark Estes in February 2024And while she seems ready to return to the dating world, Cavallari added, “I’ve needed this year to kind of just focus on myself.” However, despite claiming she hasn’t been dating this year, Cavallari previously opened up about a short-lived romance she had with retired NHL star Nate Thompson this past spring. On an April 2025 episode of her Let's Be Honest podcast, Cavallari called their time together "the most honest, pure, amazing, quote-unquote relationship I've ever had." "He is an ex-hockey player. He's been retired for a couple years now. He's a dad. He's someone who has done a lot of work on himself, and we really connected on such a deep level," she said. "Honestly, one of the deeper relationships I've had, especially in such a short amount of time." Kristin Cavallari/Instagram Kristin CavallariUltimately, things ended between them in March after Cavallari realized she "just didn't wanna be in a relationship" at the time. The jewelry designer and entrepreneur was previously married to retired NFL star Jay Cutler, with whom she shares kids Camden, 13, Jaxon, 11, and Saylor, 9. The exes split in spring 2020. Read the original article on People View the full article

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge blocked portions of Mississippi’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion practices in public schools from being enforced while a lawsuit against it is underway. The provisions blocked by U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate on Monday seek to prohibit public schools from discussing a list of “divisive concepts” related to race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation and national origin. They would also prevent public schools from maintaining programs, courses or offices that promote DEI or endorse “divisive concepts” and ban diversity training requirements. The law, which took effect in April, aims to prevent public schools from “engaging in discriminatory practices” by banning DEI offices, trainings and programs. Any school in violation of the act could lose state funding. A group of teachers, parents and students is suing the state, alleging the law violates their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Wingate’s ruling follows a temporary restraining order he granted to the plaintiffs in July. At an Aug. 5 hearing, lawyers representing the plaintiffs argued that the law is too confusing, leaving parents, teachers and students wondering what they can and cannot say and whether they could face consequences as a result of their speech. Cliff Johnson, a professor at the University of Mississippi Law School and Mississippi director of the MacArthur Justice Center, testified that he and his students often discuss what could be considered “divisive topics.” In an exchange with Wingate, Johnson said he did not believe the law would allow him to teach about the First, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments; the court case that paved the way for the internment of Japanese citizens during WWII; portions of the Civil Rights Act; or the murders of Emmett Till and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “I think I’m in a very difficult position. I can teach my class as usual and run the serious risk of being disciplined, or I could abandon something that’s very important to me,” Johnson said. “I feel a bit paralyzed.” The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office argued that public employees do not have First Amendment rights. “They are speaking for the government and the government has every right to tell them what they need to say on its behalf,” said Lisa Reppeto, an attorney at the state attorney general's office. She added that the First Amendment does not give students the right to dictate what their school does or does not say. Reppeto also said the consequences of the law are aimed at the schools — not students or teachers — and that the plaintiffs' “argument is not consistent with what is in the statute.” View the full article

View Exterior Photos / Read the Full Story BMWBMWBMWBMWBMWBMWBMWBMWBMWYou Might Also Like Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang! View the full article

Even when they were brand new, capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel didn't seem like the greatest idea, but Volkswagen soldiered on, and now it's getting sued over them. A new class action lawsuit in the U.S. says these buttons aren't just hard to use — they're downright unsafe. The complaint, filed in New Jersey (hell yeah) by a couple of owners, says that the controls on the wheel are too sensitive and can accidentally activate the adaptive cruise control with a "mere light brush of the hand over the steering wheel's haptic controls," according to Motor1. One owner says her ID 4 accelerated when pulling into a parking space after her hand brushed against the "button." The accident caused over $14,000 in damage to the crossover and injured her hand. The other owner ran into their garage while trying to park, damaging both the door and the EV. The two plaintiffs are now apparently "terrified and hesitant" to drive their cars, according to CarScoops. The suit alleges Volkswagen has failed to disclose the alleged defect and hasn't offered customers suitable repairs or replacements free of charge. It also alleges that VW knows about the problem because of various customer complaints, internal records and information sent from dealerships. Read more: These Are The Worst New Car And SUV Deals Right Now, According To Consumer Reports A Real IssueVolkswagen ID 4 - VolkswagenThe file contains numerous complaints from other ID 4 owners that were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Motor1 reports. They cover unintended acceleration issues, emergency braking failures and other injuries resulting from crashes caused by these alleged problems. Many of the reports happened while drivers were attempting to park, and quite a few acknowledged they could have inadvertently brushed up against the button. We told you about this issue over a year ago. Clearly, Volkswagen knows ditching physical steering wheel controls for capacitive touch buttons was a mistake. In late 2022, we told you that VW was ditching this type of button for actual ones because of how poorly they were received. Just above every VW product — including the latest Golf GTI — has returned to using real buttons on the steering wheel, and everybody is happy again. Of course, this doesn't really help the poor saps who are saddled with this cumbersome switchgear. I cannot imagine that swapping one wheel for another would be a terribly difficult task, but it certainly won't be cheap. However, if the plaintiffs in this lawsuit get their way, it will be. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik. View the full article

One of the Texas state lawmakers who fled the state must remain inside the Austin statehouse chamber after she refused Republican leaders’ conditions that would have required her to have a law enforcement escort to go home. That lawmaker, State Rep. Nicole Collier, joins Ali Vitali from the floor to share more, saying her party “will continue to fight” against the gerrymandering. View the full article

President Donald Trump on Tuesday offered his assurances that U.S. troops would not be sent to help defend Ukraine against Russia after seeming to leave open the possibility the day before. Trump also said in a morning TV interview that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO and regaining the Crimean Peninsula from Russia are “impossible.” The Republican president, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders held hours of talks at the White House on Monday aimed at bringing an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine. While answering questions from journalists, Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops to participate in a European-led effort to defend Ukraine as part of security guarantees sought by Zelenskyy. Trump said after his meeting in Alaska last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Putin was open to the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine. But asked Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” what assurances he could provide going forward and beyond his term that American troops would not be part of defending Ukraine’s border, Trump said, “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.” Trump would have no control over the U.S. military after his terms ends in January 2029. The president also said in the interview that he is optimistic that a deal can be reached to end the Russian invasion, but he underscored that Ukraine will have to set aside its hope of getting back Crimea, which was seized by Russian forces in 2014, and its long-held aspirations of joining the NATO military alliance. “Both of those things are impossible,” Trump said. Putin, as part of any potential deal to pull his forces out of Ukraine, is looking for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. View the full article

President Donald Trump's top schools official is making Oklahoma the latest stop in her 50-state tour to "return education to the states." U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has led a massive overhaul of the U.S. Department of Education, aimed at dismantling the agency and funneling federal schools funding directly to states instead. McMahon said earlier in August that she planned to visit every state to hear from students and teachers about innovative ideas in education. McMahon's first public appearance in Oklahoma on Tuesday, Aug. 19, was at an Oklahoma City-area charter school, Dove Science Academy. She toured the school with Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and former House Speaker Charles McCall, who is running for the Republican bid for governor in 2026. McMahon visited English, math and biology classrooms and listened to students explain how they had built robots. She also took part in a roundtable discussion about workforce development and school choice. "Workforce development, I think that's really key, as we start to change and look at education differently," she said. McMahon's appearance in Oklahoma comes as two top Republican state officials — Stitt and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters — feud over the future of state's education system, which consistently ranks among the worst nationwide. Stitt disagreed with Walters' proposal in February to require schools to track the immigration status of students. The governor then revamped the State Board of Education with four new members, who routinely push back against Walters' agenda. Most recently, Walters claimed without citing evidence that two new board members lied about seeing images of naked women on his office TV at the behest of Stitt. Walters has said he is working closely with McMahon and the Trump administration as he rolls out many of his proposals. He was not at Thursday morning's school tour with McMahon. McMahon's visit to Oklahoma comes during the second week of her tour, which started with stops in Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee. (This developing story will be updated.) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: In OKC, Ed Secretary Linda McMahon touts workforce development in schools View the full article

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but according to a new survey from the New Jersey Real Estate Network, some of Alabama's public buildings are straining that belief. A recent ranking of the 100 ugliest public buildings in the U.S. includes five located in Alabama, drawing criticism for their designs, upkeep or simply bizarre aesthetics. These aren't architectural landmarks or beloved city icons, they're often where residents go for everyday civic tasks like paying bills, renewing licenses, or dealing with legal matters, and a lack of maintenance all adds to a negative public perception. Five Alabama buildings made the list, and they ranked among the 100 ugliest in the U.S. Alabama's buildings are known for function over formAccording to a recent survey of the 100 ugliest public buildings in America, these five in Alabama made the cut, and not in a good way: Tuscaloosa County Public Works Building in Tuscaloosa ranked in the top 10, making it one of the highest-ranked eyesores in the country. Coming in at No. 9 on the list, the predominantly brick building has a flat, functional design and is bland and uninspired. The building looks harsh and overly industrial. The Florence-Lauderdale Government Building landed in the top 20, coming in at No. 19 on the list. The Decatur City Hall Annex followed at No. 60 for its boxy, bland design that fades into the background, not precisely what you'd expect from a city hall. Meanwhile, the Dothan Civic Center, ranked No. 84, has seen its share of iconic performers over the years. But despite the big names, its 1970s-era architecture hasn't stood the test of time. The Gadsden Public Library, ranked No. 85, was flagged by the survey for several design missteps, including flat facades, oversized signage and what respondents called an uninspired layout. Like many buildings on the list, it's not necessarily disliked for what it does, but for how it looks while doing it. What are the ugliest buildings in the U.S.?Here are the top 10 ugliest public buildings according to the survey: City of Flint Municipal Center (Flint, Michigan) Fresno County Superior Court (Fresno, California) Buffalo City Court (Buffalo, New York) Jackson County Courts Building (Pascagoula, Mississippi) Philadelphia Municipal Services Building (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Akron Municipal Court (Akron, Ohio) Atlantic City Municipal Court (Atlantic City, New Jersey) Bentonville Public Works Maintenance Facility (Bentonville, Arkansas) Tuscaloosa County Public Works Building (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) El Paso County Court Administration Building (El Paso, Texas) How the list was compiledThe rankings come from an online panel survey of over 3,000 people, conducted in July 2025. Responses were balanced by age, gender and geography. Internal population data sources were also used to ensure national representativeness. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected]. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Why these buildings in Alabama were ranked the ugliest in the U.S. View the full article

A well-known Florida Keys charter fishing captain was fatally shot near Orlando late last week following what police say appears to be an argument with another man over traffic. Joseph Hall, Jr., 43, was pronounced dead at HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford around 5:45 p.m. Thursday night. Just minutes earlier, witnesses told police they saw another man, 24-year-old Jaden Harris, running after Hall at an apartment building parking lot with a handgun and shooting at him several times. Harris, who stayed at the scene, told Sanford police officers that he was driving his white BMW sedan behind Hall’s Jeep Gladiator on South Mangoustine Avenue, and that Hall was driving very slowly. Harris told cops he passed Hall, who reacted by acting like he was going to use his Jeep to hit the BMW, according to his arrest report. Harris told police he followed Hall to try taking a picture of his license plate. When they arrived at a Stop sign at West Seminole Boulevard and Mangoustine Avenue, Hall rolled his window down and called him an expletive for a female body part. Harris followed Hall as he made a left turn onto West Seminole Boulevard. Hall pulled into the apartment complex on Marbella Lane, Harris told police. There, Harris told police Hall blocked the parking lot exit with his Jeep and got out of the vehicle, approaching the BMW, according to the report. As Hall got closer to the BMW, Harris let him know that “had it on him,” meaning his gun, according to the report. He said Hall “lunged” toward the car, and that’s when he fired his first shot, the report states. Per the arrest report, when the first officer arrived and found Harris standing by his car, the cop asked him if he was the one who shot Hall. He responded, “I had to because he was blocking me in,” the report states. After detectives asked Harris to tell them more about what was said before he opened fire, he told them he wanted an attorney, so they stopped questioning him, according to the report. Based on what witnesses told police, what Harris told them, and after viewing security camera footage from the apartment building, officers arrested him on a charge of second-degree murder. The footage did not capture the shooting, but shows Harris’ BMW rolling backwards before he catches up to it and puts the car in park. This corroborates what witnesses say, that he got out of the car and kept firing, according to the report. Detectives said Harris “had several opportunities to disengage from pursuing Joseph but maliciously continued instead. Based on Jaden’s post Miranda interview, he never stated that at the time of the incident he was ever in fear for his life.” Detectives also note in the report that neither Harris nor the witnesses ever said Hall was armed. “Joseph did not cause Jaden any injury or harm to him that would justify the use of deadly force,” the report states. A judge ordered Harris held without bond until his scheduled Oct. 7 arraignment, according to Seminole County court records. News of Hall’s death hit the Upper Keys community hard after his wife, Devi, with whom he shares two children, posted about it via Facebook on Saturday. “He was full of life, laughter, and love, and I am so grateful for every moment we had together,” she wrote. Hall owned and captained the 65-foot Sailors Choice Party Fishing Boat as well as the Anglers Choice sportfishing charter boat, both based out of the mile marker 99.7 oceanside marina in Key Largo. Tributes from loyal customers, crew and colleagues have continued to pour in to the Sailors Choice Facebook page since Hall’s death. “We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Captain Joe touched the lives of many with his kindness, passion, and love for the water. He had a gift for making everyone feel welcome and for creating memories that families will cherish forever. His legacy will live on through every story, every smile, and every fish caught aboard Sailors’ Choice and Angler’s Choice,” the crew of the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat wrote. View the full article

Is the United States known for its ornate or stunning architecture? Not always. In some cases, its buildings are practical, as opposed to pretty. Not all architecture, however, is in the same class, in fact some of it could be considered just plain "ugly." More than 3,000 people were asked to vote on the 100 ugliest public buildings in the U.S. in a new list put out by the New Jersey Real Estate Network. Two Indiana cities have buildings that made the cut. Here's what to know. 'Ugliest buildings' in America includes South Bend's St. Joseph County-City BuildingThe County-City Building Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Jefferson Street and Lafayette Boulevard in downtown South Bend.At spot No. 63, the St. Joseph County-City Building, located in South Bend, made the ugliest public buildings list. The 14-story St. Joseph County-City Building was built in 1967 to replace the City Hall that would be demolished in 1970. The South Bend Tribune reported in July 2025 that county officials are considering selling the building and relocating the services currently housed there due to costly repairs and upgrades. From South Bend: Five things to know about County-City Building as officials decide what to do with it. Evansville Civic Center Complex makes list of America's 'ugliest' buildingsThe Evansville Civic Center Complex seen from the SE 9th street side in Evansville, Indiana.The Evansville Civic Center Complex took spot No. 76 on the ugliest public building list. The Civic Center Complex opened in 1969 and was originally home to city and county government officials, agencies, courts, school administration and a jail, according to previous reporting from the Courier & Press. The complex was completed after six years of planning and cost $27 million (estimated to be over $237 million in currency today). What are the ugliest buildings in the U.S.?According to the survey, the top five ugliest buildings in the U.S. are: City of Flint Municipal Center located in Flint, Michigan Fresno County Superior Court, located in Fresno, California Buffalo City Court, located in Buffalo, New York Jackson County Courts Building, located in Pascagoula, Mississippi Philadelphia Municipal Services Building, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania To view all the public buildings that made the list, visit newjerseyrealestatenetwork.com. Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana included on list of 'ugliest' buildings in the United States View the full article

Washington — The State Department says it has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and violations of the law. The vast majority of those violations or alleged violations entailed assault, driving under the influence, burglary, and "support for terrorism," according to a State Department official, although the State Department didn't say whether those were accusations, arrests, charges or convictions. Two-thirds of the recently revoked visas were because the students violated the law, the official said. Fox News first reported the student visa revocations. Those roughly 6,000 students represent a fraction of the 1.1 million foreign students who studied at colleges and universities in the U.S. in the 2023-2024 academic year, the most recently available data. The State Department official said between 200 and 300 of the visas pulled were over accusations that they engaged in "support for terrorism" under federal statute. The Trump administration has been cracking down on foreign students participating in pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses, as well as universities that allow such protests. In one high-profile incident, Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk's visa was revoked after she wrote an op-ed criticizing U.S. policy in the Middle East, and then was taken into custody by ICE. Her visa was restored and she was released after she spent six weeks in ICE detention. The Trump administration has also imposed stricter screening for student visa applications. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced in April that international students, among other visa applicants, would have their social media screened for things including antisemitic content. The State Department has also required that student visa applicants make their social media profiles public. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for additional information on the revoked visas. Justice Department set to begin sharing Epstein files with Congress How Texas House Democrats are shifting focus on redistricting battle against Republicans D.C. mayor questions Trump's crime crackdown as more troops head to capital View the full article

Notre Dame has found its starting quarterback. The Fighting Irish announced Tuesday that CJ Carr would be the team’s starter against Miami. Carr had been competing with Kenny Minchey to succeed Riley Leonard after Notre Dame went to the national championship game in 2024. There hadn’t been much public separation between the two quarterbacks over the course of fall camp. On Sunday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said “we’re still in competition” though he admitted that a decision on a QB needed to come fairly quickly. “We’ll go back and evaluate today’s practice today,” Freeman said via the Athletic. “Make a decision. We’ve got to make a decision here soon. I don’t know when we’ll make it. I don’t want to put a timeline on it.” View the full article

政府港島及離島辦公室飲用水疑為「冒牌水」，中標公司鑫鼎鑫商貿有限公司兩名董事及股東涉欺詐被捕，當中供水合約中標金額為5,294萬元。物流署回覆《香港01》，政府就鑫鼎鑫商貿有限公司的供水合約合共支付2,268元予該公司，由於有關合約已終止，政府不會再向該公司支付任何款項。 物流署指在檢討招標規格後，會再次就港島和離島政府辦公室的飲用水供應商招標，現時暫定由屈臣氏集團（香港）有限公司有關辦公室供應樽裝飲用水，合約為期4個月，金額約710萬港元。 01觀點：物流署買冒牌水｜信用破產，一定要炒！ 鑫鼎鑫商貿原獲批5,294萬元的飲用水供應合約。8月17日下午在香港壁球中心後樓梯所見，大量「觀音山」牌飲用水空桶砌成一面牆。（資料圖片／廖雁雄攝）鑫鼎鑫商貿原獲批5,294萬元的飲用水供應合約。8月17日下午在香港壁球中心後樓梯所見，大量「觀音山」牌飲用水空桶砌成一面牆。（資料圖片／廖雁雄攝）8月17日下午在香港壁球中心後樓梯所見，大量「觀音山」牌飲用水空桶砌成一面牆。（資料圖片／廖雁雄攝）8月17日下午在香港壁球中心後樓梯所見，大量「觀音山」牌飲用水空桶砌成一面牆。（資料圖片／廖雁雄攝）已付$2268　不會再向鑫鼎鑫支付任何款項物流署表示，6月批出合約予鑫鼎鑫商貿有限公司（鑫鼎鑫），由今年6月底起為港島和部分離島的政府辦公室提供樽裝飲用水，合約為期36個月。根據記錄，政府就這份合約共支付了2,268元予鑫鼎鑫。由於有關合約已終止，政府不會再向該公司支付任何款項。 物流署指，稍後在全面檢討有關項目的招標規格後，會透過公開招標揀選合適供應商為港島和部分離島政府辦公室供應樽裝飲用水。在新合約生效前，署方已安排屈臣氏集團（香港）有限公司暫時為港島和部分離島政府辦公室供應樽裝飲用水，合約為期4個月，金額約710萬港元。 +2中標需先符合指定技術規格　再按格價拍板物流署重申，就有關政府採購樽裝飲用水合約，所有標書須先通過審核以確定符合招標要求（包括所有指定技術規格），然後才按投標價格揀選中標者。 鑫鼎鑫商貿有限公司獲批5,294萬元合約，為港島和部分離島的政府辦公室供應「鑫樂觀音山」桶裝飲用水，政府昨日終止合約。（資料圖片 / 廖雁雄攝）鑫鼎鑫商貿有限公司獲批5,294萬元合約，為港島區和部份離島區的政府處所供應「鑫樂-觀音山」桶裝飲用水，警方日前拘捕鑫鼎鑫兩名董事及股東，並通緝一名內地男子，涉嫌訛稱為政府提供由另一內地公司「樂百氏（廣東）」生產的樽裝水，其後樂百氏（廣東）否認供水予該公司。 政府昨日（18日）終止4張與鑫鼎鑫商貿公司相關的合約。政府昨也公布終止另外3張與鑫鼎鑫負責人有關聯的合約。物流署表示，相關合約分別由國洋企業(香港)及國洋企業向物流署提供漂白粉、漂白水及漂丸等物料，合約金額分別約71萬、100萬及23萬元，總共涉款逾200萬元。 提供漂白粉及漂白水的合約期由上年8月開始，提供漂丸的合約則由今年8月1日開始。翻查資料，鑫鼎鑫董事呂子聰同為國洋企業(香港)及國洋企業董事。 政府飲用水｜提貨單曝光　揭鑫鼎鑫代表同為觀音山羊台山銷售人員政府飲用水風波｜鑫鼎鑫「水源」未明　樂百氏重申與欺詐事件無關政府飲用水風波｜陳嘉信在哪兒？江玉歡：物流署無理由無人出嚟政府飲用水｜運水公司：曾去觀音山取水　憂無法收回70萬送貨費政府飲用水｜單價曝光「鑫鼎鑫」全港最貴　物流署指同組最低 View the full article

美國商務部長盧特尼克（Howard Lutnick）8月19日受訪時表示，特朗普（Donald Trump，又譯川普）政府希望入股晶片生產商英特爾（Intel）。財長貝森特（Scott Bessent）同日透露，政府對英特爾的投資是由將對公司補貼轉換成股權，能幫助公司穩定下來，在美國本土生產晶片。 盧特尼克接受美媒CNBC節目採訪時表示，美方計劃將拜登（Joe Biden）政府時期通過的《晶片與科學法案》（Chips and Science Act）原本撥給企業的補助金轉換成股權投資。 這張2025年8月19日拍攝的設計圖片中，可以看到晶片生產商英特爾（Intel）的處理器和美國國旗。（Reuters）盧特尼克表示：「（美國）應該用的資金獲得（公司）股權，這樣我們就能兌現拜登政府已經承諾的（補貼）資金」。 盧特尼克強調，美國政府無意控制公司，任何股份都將是沒投票權，意味着政府無法控制公司的業務。 圖為路透社2023年3月6日的設計圖片，一部顯示Intel標誌的手機被放置在電腦主機板上。（Reuters）貝森特同日在CNBC的另一節目上亦提出相似論述，並強調政府將不會強迫美國企業購買英特爾晶片，入股只是換一種形式的補助。 然而，他並未就美國入股的規模或時間點，提供任何細節。而彭博社早前報道指，美國政府正洽談收購英特爾10%的股份。 彭博：特朗普政府擬收購英特爾10%股份　或成最大股東彭博：特朗普政府擬入股Intel　已展開洽談特朗普與Intel CEO陳立武會面　稱閣員下星期會再晤對方Intel CEO遭特朗普點名要求辭職　美媒：陳立武8.11赴白宮 View the full article

According to the nature of our economy, it’s typical that costs increase over time (hello, inflation). But what we’re seeing in elections cannot be considered normal. The Pew Research Center recently asked Americans to list which issues are the biggest problems facing the economy right now. Seventy-two percent said the role of money in politics is a “very big problem” — landing it the foremost spot above health care costs, inflation, the federal deficit, poverty and every other issue. This is significant. While candidates for Congress and the presidency quibble over who gets access to power, moneyed interests continue to creep into the system, making elections costlier than ever. Sometimes it starts to feel like a contest just for the contest’s sake. Let’s take a look at the numbers. Just three presidential cycles ago, in 2016, the total cost of all federal elections rang in at $6.5 billion, a (relatively) modest increase from 2012. But four years later, the total cost more than doubled to $15.1 billion and, in 2024, nearly matched that total ($14.8 billion). The U.S. vastly outspends all other nations on elections. The source of money has also changed. Twenty-five years ago, the vast majority of candidates who raised more than $200,000 for general election campaigns collected that money from within their districts from people they would ultimately represent if they won (79 percent of House candidates, 62 percent of Senate candidates). As my organization has reported, congressional elections truly have now become national campaigns, with just 17.6 percent local money in House races and only 27.5 percent in Senate races for 2024. So, while more money is pouring into the U.S. election system than ever before, the traditional relationship between elected officials and those they represent has fallen apart. Thanks to the research done by Unite America, we know that nearly all congressional elections are decided by less than 10 percent of voters. Put those low voter participation rates together with low local fundraising rates, and you end up with elected officials who no longer represent the people. And if our officials are not beholden to their constituents, but rather to partisan forces, we end up with a dysfunctional government. We shouldn’t be surprised that the American people have had enough. Amid a more politicized landscape in which partisans are moving increasingly toward the extremes, money in politics is one of the few issues that both sides of the aisle can agree on — with 66 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of Democrats citing it as a very big problem. And yet, our leaders appear uninterested in changing a system that helps them stay in power. In every Congress, a handful of lawmakers have introduced legislation to reform the role of money in politics, but none of those bills have any chance at becoming law. In fact, a meaningful campaign finance law has not been enacted since the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act was signed in 2002 — nearly a quarter-century ago. Since then, the courts have eaten away at the restrictions created by the law, clearing the way for super PACs and the untraceable “dark money” funds that support them. And then there’s the Federal Election Commission, which is tasked with regulating campaign fundraising and expenditures in line with current law, enforcing the rules and punishing those who break the law. But even in the best of times, the FEC rarely takes action. When fully staffed, it has three Republican and three Democratic commissioners, leading to partisan gridlock. But deadlocked votes would be a welcome change from what we are facing now. In order to take action, the FEC requires a quorum of four commissioners. Right now it only has three, so it cannot complete most of its core functions. That leaves the judiciary as the only branch of government considering changes to campaign finance laws. All eyes are on Maine, where voters overwhelmingly approved a 2024 ballot measure setting caps on contributions to super PACs. Opponents have sued to overturn the measure, and the case has been teed up for a federal district court’s review. It is likely to end up before the Supreme Court in the next couple years, in what will likely be the most significant ruling on money in politics since Citizens United. Before that case makes it to the high court, the justices may consider another campaign finance case. Current law limits how much money party committees can spend in coordination with candidates’ campaign committees. That law is being challenged and the case could be heard this fall. While all this is happening (or, at the FEC, not happening), political operatives are already gearing up for the next elections and strategizing how to raise as much money as possible. If nothing changes, the dollars will only get bigger, and voters will be even more dissatisfied. We deserve better. Hilary Braseth is executive director of OpenSecrets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

When a New York appeals court heard arguments last year in Donald Trump’s civil fraud appeal, I noted that while the hearing could’ve gone worse for Trump and better for New York Attorney Letitia James, “one can never be sure from oral argument what the precise ruling will be.” Nearly a year later, it appears that the court itself is still unsure. That’s evident from the fact that the court is yet to rule on Trump’s challenge to the staggering nine-figure ruling against his family business that James secured last year. But an interesting report on the unusual delay from The Wall Street Journal adds intrigue to the matter. Citing unnamed sources in a report that hasn’t been confirmed by MSNBC, it said that members of the five-justice appellate panel “have been divided, and three of them have been writing opinions.” The report doesn’t detail the substance of those opinions or what type of opinions they are. There could be a three-justice majority that’s firmly established for one side or the other, while two other justices are writing their own dissents or concurring opinions to the draft majority opinion. That doesn’t mean there will be three opinions published when the case is finally decided, as the Journal noted, because jurists can change their positions during the drafting process. At any rate, getting any behind-the-scenes reporting about a pending judicial decision is notable — certainly in a case of this importance. As a reminder of what the legal debate is all about, I wrote in connection with last year’s hearing, “Part of the issue boils down to how broadly James used a state law to go after Trump and his civil co-defendants for fraud in financial dealings, given that it wasn’t a case where victims were conned and then complained to the government about it. Put differently, the question is how broadly that law, Executive Law 63(12), can reach.” The court’s impending decision carries implications for the future of business and legal proceedings in the state beyond Trump. It also serves as a reminder that, although his 2024 election victory quashed his federal criminal cases, the president has several pending personal legal disputes, including another appeal challenging his hush money conviction in New York. Meanwhile, Trump’s Justice Department is investigating James personally in response to her pursuit of Trump in court prior to his election. However the Appellate Division rules in Trump’s civil fraud case, it won’t necessarily be the final word. The Appellate Division is the state’s intermediate appeals court, and the losing side can try to reverse their loss in the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. Even that might not end the case, because the ultimate losing side in state court might try to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. But first the case needs to clear this intermediate step. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administration’s legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com View the full article

昨日（19日）的《東張西望》講到事主張生報東張直斥醫生草菅人命！當中到底發生什麼事？張生60多歲的媽媽於手術後身亡，家屬傷心欲絕，突然收到匿名電話，再收到告密信。而涉事洪醫生絕密錄音曝光，她表示：「呢個係個急性嘅情況，亦都係我嘅失誤導致佢有個出血問題，呢樣嘢我唔否認嘅。」但後來院方指張生的媽媽的死是手術併發症，而家屬則慮為是醫療事故及人為的失誤。 《東張西望》講到事主張生報東張直斥醫生：草菅人命。(節目截圖)張生60多歲的媽媽去年一次身體檢查發現患上胰臟癌，原本張媽媽於港島的醫院治療，經過12次的化療，準備接受電療，當時張媽媽的日常生活沒有受影響。但是今年2月，張媽媽突然吐血，家人立即召救護車送到將軍澳區的醫院：「本身都有諗過去其他醫院嘅，但因為佢個情況係吐血，好緊急，未必方便坐的士去私家醫院。」所以張生最後決定先到附近醫院接受治療。 張生60多歲的媽媽去年一次身體檢查發現患上胰臟癌。(節目截圖)經檢查後，張媽媽吐血的原因是腫瘤壓住12指腸，導致潰瘍及流血。張生表示入院翌日，醫生幫張媽媽打了止血針，而她的精神亦不錯，所以打算讓她轉院繼續接受治療及進行電療。張生事前已經跟接受電療的醫院表示張媽媽有吐血的情況，而醫院亦有表示只要她出院就可以繼續為她做電療。於是張生向將軍澳醫院要求讓張媽媽出院，而院方方面亦有表示：「如果佢要出院，佢要自己負返責任。」 經檢查後，張媽媽吐血的原因是腫瘤壓住12指腸，導致潰瘍及流血。(節目截圖)其後醫院指張媽媽需接受內視鏡超聲波穿刺手術，但手術前醫院沒有向家人講解相關風險等資訊，只強調手術成功率有八九成。於手術中，家人收到主刀醫生洪醫生的電話，指張母手術中心臟停頓20分鐘，經搶救恢復，但內臟出血嚴重，止不了血。當時家人完全不清楚出血原因和位置，張生見張媽媽推出來時已經有問洪醫生：「到底佢咩事啊？點解會出血嘅？」但洪醫生表示暫時未知道原因，當時張生見到張媽媽的情況是完全無知覺，不停接受輸血，更指張媽媽像「半個死人」，而家人見到張媽媽的情況當場十分難過。 其後醫院指張媽媽需接受內視鏡超聲波穿刺手術，但手術前醫院沒有向家人講解相關風險等資訊，只強調手術成功率有八九成。(節目截圖)其後醫院指張媽媽需接受內視鏡超聲波穿刺手術，但手術前醫院沒有向家人講解相關風險等資訊，只強調手術成功率有八九成。(節目截圖)洪醫生稱支架成功放入，但張媽媽肝臟動脈出血，只要血壓上升，就能做止血手術。幾小時後終於血壓上升，但洪醫生又稱張媽媽情況不適合做止血手術。張生當場質問洪醫生是否其導致出血的：「佢當其時冇答，亦都冇否認。」洪醫生當時神情閃縮，只是說要進一步檢查才清楚。10多小時後家人才得知張媽媽因為血壓太低不能打止痛針，所以一直挨痛。直到凌晨張生要求醫生為張媽媽注射嗎啡止痛，而醫生亦有解釋如果為張媽媽注射嗎啡，會令病人很快離世。家人不忍張媽媽繼續受苦，所以同意為其注射嗎啡，而張媽媽亦於手術後翌日凌晨離世。 10多小時後家人才得知張媽媽因為血壓太低不能打止痛針，所以一直挨痛。(節目截圖)家人不忍張媽媽繼續受苦，所以同意為其注射嗎啡，而張媽媽亦於手術後翌日凌晨離世。(節目截圖)院方開出的死亡原因包括：肝動脈假性動脈瘤，內視鏡超聲波引導下膽道引流，無法進行手術的胰臟癌。雖然家人對死因存疑，但當時因為要處理張媽媽的後事，所以沒有深究。一個月後張生突然收到一個匿名電話，表示清楚張媽媽的手術情況並感到可惜，一周後他又收到匿名信，披露更多張媽媽的手術細節。其後張媽媽家人院方會面，絕密錄音明日（20日）將會曝光。 雖然家人對死因存疑，但當時因為要處理張媽媽的後事，所以沒有深究。(節目截圖)一個月後張生突然收到一個匿名電話，表示清楚張媽媽的手術情況並感到可惜，一周後他又收到匿名信，披露更多張媽媽的手術細節。(節目截圖) View the full article

In Episode 31 of Going Rogue, Lara Logan sits down with Jonathan McComb, a survivor of the devastating 2015 Wimberley, Texas flood, to share his extraordinary story of tragedy, faith, and resilience. Jonathan lost his wife and two children in the disaster—a nightmarish event that nearly claimed his own life. In this deeply moving conversation, Jonathan recounts the terrifying night his house was swept downriver, his fight for survival, and the gut-wrenching aftermath of loss. He reflects on the long road of healing, rebuilding, and finding strength through his faith in God, his community, and his determination to honor the memory of his loved ones. Jonathan also discusses his recent work with Texas Search and Rescue, where he now answers the call to help others impacted by natural disasters, including the Central Texas flood that struck Camp Mystic. His dedication to serving others is both a tribute to his family and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This is a powerful story of loss, survival, and hope—told by the man who lived it. Watch now to hear Jonathan’s journey in his own words. View the full article

Catherine Hanaway talks to reporters on Aug. 19 after being announced as the state's next attorney general (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent). Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Monday that Catherine Hanaway will replace Andrew Bailey as the state’s next attorney general. Bailey, 44, resigned Monday after a little more than two years on the job to become co-deputy director of the FBI. Hanaway, 61, will be the fourth person to serve as Missouri attorney general since 2018, with her three predecessors leaving the job early for positions in Washington, D.C. She can serve out Bailey’s term, which runs until the end of 2028. Andrew Bailey stepping down as Missouri attorney general for job in Trump administration A former federal prosecutor, Hanaway was the first and only woman to ever serve as speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives. She twice ran unsuccessfully for statewide office, losing to Democrat Robin Carnahan for secretary of state in 2004 and finishing fourth in the Republican primary for governor in 2016. After she left public life, Hanaway focused on her law practice and eventually became a partner at the Husch Blackwell. In 2018, she garnered headlines after joining the legal team representing the campaign committee of the man who beat her in the ugly 2016 GOP primary, Eric Greitens. Her highest profile client in recent years has been Grain Belt Express, a planned transmission line designed to transport electricity generated by wind farms in Kansas across four states, including Missouri. In the works for more than a decade, the transmission line has drawn fierce criticism from GOP officials and agriculture groups like the Missouri Farm Bureau over the company’s use of eminent domain to take land or easements from unwilling landowners and compensate them. Those critics include Bailey, who has used the attorney general’s office to target the project. Grain Belt Express filed a lawsuit against the attorney general’s office last month over a demand to hand over documents, and Hanaway is the company’s lead counsel. “Grain Belt Express seeks to bring an end to the (attorney general’s) unlawful and politically motivated investigation,” Hanaway said in a statement last month. This story will be updated. View the full article

The sixth-named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Fernand. Fernand? If you're thinking to pronounce it based on memories of that Ferdinand the bull story from childhood, think again, since you'd be wrong. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location ➤ Track active storms When did the Fernand join the list of hurricane names and where does the name come from? Here are answers to your questions. How do you not pronounce Fernand?Don't start the first syllable with "fur." It's not FUR-nand. Neither is it FER-nand. How do you pronounce Fernand?According to NOAA, the correct pronunciation is fair-NAHN, with the emphasis on the second syllable. Is Fernand a new name for Atlantic hurricanes?The World Meteorological Organization selected Fernand to replace the name Felix. Felix made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Central America on Sept. 4, 2007. When is a hurricane name retired?The WMO retires hurricane names when a storm is particularly deadly or destructive, to avoid future confusion and out of sensitivity for the victims. ➤ How often has Florida been impacted, threatened by August hurricanes? We took a look back For Atlantic hurricanes, there is a list of names for each of six years. One list is repeated every sixth year. How many F hurricane names have been retired? No, we're not using profanity!NOAA lists how many hurricanes starting with F have been retired: Fiona: 2022 Florence: 2018 Felix: 2007 Frances: 2004 Fabian: 2003 Floyd: 1999 Fifi: 1974 Fran: 1996 Flora: 1963 How often has there been a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Fernand? Good news: None made landfall in FloridaSince Fernand joined the list of Atlantic hurricane names, it's been used twice. Both were tropical storms that made landfall in Mexico. 2013: Tropical Storm Fernand, Aug. 25-26, 2013, was a short-lived storm that formed in the Bay of Campeche and made landfall with 57-mph winds north-northwest of Veracruz, Mexico. Heavy rain — estimated at 5 to 9 inches — caused flash flooding and landslides that took the lives of 14 people, according to NOAA. 2019: Tropical Storm Fernand, Sept. 3-5, 2019, was aother short-lived storm that also made landfall in Mexico. It formed in the Gulf east of Las Pesca, Mexico, before making landfall Sept. 4 north-northeast of La Pesca with estimated winds of 46 mph. Fernand produced torrential rain, with 20.83 inches recorded in Monterrey, according to the National Hurricane Center. One person died from drowning. 2025: Still waiting! Historically, the sixth-named storm of the season forms Aug. 29, according to AccuWeather. Who comes up with hurricane names?The World Meteorological Organization maintains six lists of names to be used for tropical storms and hurricanes, along with a list of alternative names if all names are used during the hurricane season. The lists are used on a rotating basis. A name is retired only if a storm is "so deadly or costly that the future use of its name for a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity," according to NOAA. At an annual meeting of the World Meteorological Organization, the offending name may be stricken from the list and another name is then selected to replace it. Where does the name Fernand come from? Where is it popular?According to thebump.com, Fernand is a boy's name of French origin and means brave traveler; daring, adventurous. Here's hoping a tropical storm or hurricane doesn't live up to that! The name has a prominent role in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, "The Count of Monte Cristo." When is the Atlantic hurricane season?The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center use Gulf of America on their maps and in advisories. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via textWhat's next?We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tropical Storm or Hurricane Fernand? How to pronounce; past storms View the full article

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Illinois dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 9,690 in the week ending August 9, down from 9,988 the week before, the Labor Department said. U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 224,000 last week, down 3,000 claims from 227,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 99.3%. Iowa, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 32.5%. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor's weekly unemployment insurance claims report. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Unemployment claims in Illinois declined last week View the full article

Authorities are searching for a Texas man that was "mistakenly" released from jail before he was set to serve a 5 year state prison sentence. Troy Dugas, 36, was "mistakenly released from jail on Sunday" afternoon, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Monday in a news release that included his mugshot. The sheriff's office said that Dugas was "due to begin serving a 5-year state prison sentence for assaulting a family member" and a 2-year sentence for evading arrest. Both incidents occurred in counties just outside of Houston, according to the release. Authorities added that Dugas was in the Harris County Jail since August 14 "on additional local charges that were subsequently dismissed" before his release on Sunday. “A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to Dugas’ erroneous release from jail,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Preliminary indications are that jail staff did not properly document his state prison sentence in his file, leading to the mistaken assumption that Dugas was eligible for release once his Harris County charges were dismissed." The sheriff's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment seeking additional information. Authorities described him as a 6’1” 215 pound Black man, and said he has a tattoo on his neck. They advised anyone who is aware of his whereabouts or sights him to call 911. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com View the full article

The Czinger 21C Set Five Track Records in Five Days, With 1,000 Miles Driven in Between originally appeared on Autoblog. The ideaIt is an unfortunate reality that a high number of supercars and hypercars rarely grace the pavement they were designed to conquer. They are more likely to end up as garage candy, blessing the eyes of those fortunate enough to be invited to whatever private collection they're a part of. The California-based automaker Czinger aims to change that. Sure, their car looks otherworldly in the finest way possible, boasts 1,250 hp, and will be limited to only 80 units, but the team wants to prove that their street-legal hypercar is as good at regular road duties as it is at setting speed records. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The executionDriver Joel Miller, CEO & Founder Lukas Czinger, and members of the Czinger team, led by Czinger Vehicles Chief Engineer Ewan Baldry, set out on a 1,000-mile road trip from Northern to Southern California to set five lap records at five tracks in five days. In between Thunderhill, Sonoma Raceway, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs, and The Thermal Club, the 21C hit important California landmarks like The Golden Gate Bridge, Blackbird Airpark, Box Canyon Road, and, of course, In-N-Out Burger. I imagine an Animal Style Double Double tastes better from within the cockpit of a Czinger. It wasn't a painless journey, of course, as not many are. When the 21C bottomed out at Thunderhill, a cracked casing resulted in a near-immediate loss of coolant. What initially started as panic quickly turned into split-second ingenuity, as Czinger called upon an emergency delivery from their Area 21 headquarters in Los Angeles and executed a flawless overnight rebuild in order to hit the road again the next day. At Laguna Seca, the car had an intimate meeting with a tire wall, resulting in an age-old repair strategy used by racers and mechanics worldwide: ample duct tape. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The success storyThe entire journey was captured in a short film titled "California Gold Rush," directed by Italian automotive filmmaker Luca Brinciotti. While I was lucky enough to watch it at a private viewing during Monterey Car Week (and believe me, I got goosebumps), you, dear viewer, can watch it from the privacy and comfort of your home. Get the popcorn, though, it's that good. “With the California Gold Rush campaign, we set out to redefine hypercar performance. Taking into equal consideration lap records and road endurance. We believe that a hypercar must perform over multiple dimensions and technical innovations are only worthwhile when proven in the real world,” said Lukas Czinger, CEO & Founder of Czinger Vehicles. “The driving force behind any technological leap is a mission-driven, resilient, and exceptionally capable team. The California Gold Rush documentary celebrates the individuals behind the 21st century. I could not be prouder of what our team accomplished.” View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Final thoughtsMore than anything, I think the California Gold Rush campaign and the Czinger 21C itself are symbolic of the passion behind automotive ownership and the enthusiasm it inspires. Whether it's taking the car we've spent countless time and tears on to the track, or reviving that rusty project truck the world has turned its back on, our love of cars pushes us to break our limits, embark on new journeys, and constantly take bold steps outside of our comfort zone. The Czinger 21C is an automotive jewel, and it doesn't take more than a single look to reach that conclusion, but Lukas and the team behind the car's production are able to see beyond that. Yes, it's gorgeous, yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it'll probably appreciate significantly on a long enough timeline, but it's still a car beneath all of that. Cars should be driven, and having a car like the 21C that can be driven to the track, break records, and then be driven back home is a rare feat. Lukas told me in an interview that this idea of a hypercar that needs no track prep to be an incredible weapon is one of the goals behind Czinger, and that he hopes future owners will take note of the California Gold Rush's accomplishments and seek such adventures in their own examples. As for this particular 21C's future, Lukas tells me it'll likely spend time in the company's personal collection as an unrestored testament to what Czinger can do. Seeing such significant battle scars on a car of this caliber in person proved more than anything that those at Czinger are automotive enthusiasts, and to that, I raise a toast. The broken records are as follows: Thunderhill Raceway Park: 1:48.30, -3.39 seconds off previous record Sonoma Raceway: 1:35.05, -0.70 seconds off previous record WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 1:24.39, -0.36 seconds off Czinger’s own previous record Willow Springs Raceway: 1:19.73, -1.35 seconds off previous record The Thermal Club: 2:03.17, -10.33 seconds off previous record The Czinger 21C Set Five Track Records in Five Days, With 1,000 Miles Driven in Between first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared. View the full article