The technical would have been Clark's eighth of the season, triggering a one-game suspension for the Fever star. She would have had to miss Tuesday's game against New York.

But, a WNBA spokesman said the technical had been rescinded a few hours after the game ended.

In the third quarter of the Fever's 90-86 win over the Sky, Clark made contact with a referee when she was forced out of bounds and was called for a technical foul.

After the game, Clark said the contact was inadvertent and that no words were exchanged. She was hopeful the WNBA would rescind the foul.

“She said I ran into her,” Clark said of the referee. “I have already watched it on the tape. So, we’ll let the league decide. But, it wasn’t anything intentional or anything. So, I hope it gets rescinded. And, nothing was said.”

Clark got her wish.

“That's a bad call, incidental contact when you're flying out of control,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “I thought her teammates should have come up and talked to her about that as well. I think that’s really bad. that (expletive) happens all the time in the game. you know, officials have to have some awareness in those moments, and it didn’t happen.”

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Boston recorded a franchise record-tying 15-game winning stretch, matching a mark from 1946, before it was stopped on July 22. The team's attempt for a second streak of 10 or more games for the first time in the franchise's 126-year history fell short against the A's.

Gage Jump worked six strong innings, Tyler Soderstrom and Henry Bolte hit solo homers, and Jonah Heim and Donovan Walton added two-run doubles for the Athletics, who snapped a nine-game skid. The A's hadn’t won since beating the Red Sox at home on July 28.

Jump (5-7) struck out a season-high 11 and allowed two runs and six hits.

Andruw Monasterio had a two-run single in the first inning for the Red Sox, whose nine-game run started the day after Jump earned a victory by pitching six scoreless innings.

Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras returned after missing two games with an illness, went 0 for 4 and was booed for jogging lightly on a ground out.

The Athletics' bullpen, which entered with the majors’ highest ERA (5.64), allowed one run in the last three innings. Hogan Harris got the last four outs for his 10th save.

The Athletics erased a two-run deficit with a run in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in sixth.

Boston's Jake Bennett (7-5) breezed through the first three innings, allowing only a walk. He was pulled with one out in the sixth and charged with four runs.

Brian Serven’s RBI single cut the Athletics' deficit in half before Heim’s two-run single in the fifth put them ahead. Walton’s pinch-hit ground-rule double off reliever Justin Slaten into Boston’s bullpen added two more runs in the sixth.

Up next

Athletics RHP J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.51 ERA) will start Sunday. The Red Sox haven’t announced a starter.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Shanahan has been working his way back to full speed since the car crash on July 14 that left him with a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand and more than 40 stitches to close a cut over his eye. In his first news conference of training camp, he said he has just a few remaining symptoms from the concussion.

“I’m doing real good,” he said. “My body feels good. Just got to get this annoying cast off. My ribs feel good, except when I sneeze, and my head feels so much better. Concussions do linger a little bit. The only things I really deal with now is just headaches and fatigue. That’s why I’m not always exactly on the same routine, but pretty damn close.”

Shanahan has been at practice every day this summer and said that the loud music that bothered him at the beginning of camp is no longer an issue. He has only addressed the full team at meetings a few times and didn't feel ready to hold a news conference until after practice on Saturday.

But he said he has been doing the most important parts of his job and that he will be on the sideline for the exhibition opener against Tennessee.

“One thing I haven’t missed anything of is film,” he said. “I watch every single play with the coaches after with the players. I have had a few team meetings. Normally I do it every day. But I do lose a little when I do stuff, so I’ve just had to pick and choose a little bit more. But as far as the film and everything, being out there for all the practice periods of going against each other, those are to me the most important things in my job. I’ve been able to do those every day.”

The 49ers are entering a crucial part of the summer with a joint practice on Tuesday with the Titans ahead of the exhibition opener. The Niners are scheduled to have another joint practice the following week with the Chargers before their second exhibition game and then wrap up the preseason on Aug. 27 against Las Vegas. The team the leaves the following week for Australia, where the 49ers will open the season on Sept. 11 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Shanahan said he thought he would have been back at full strength sooner but is glad he has taken the extra time. He said being patient was easier because of the confidence he had in acting coach Chris Foerster, along with coordinators Klay Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer.

“It made it really easy for me not to worry about me having to do something,” he said. “Our guys are awesome. We have a pretty well-oiled machine. We’ve been here for, this is our 10th year. Those guys made it very easy for me to not do anything stupid.”

Shanahan took the blame for the crash into a car driven by a 21-year-old woman in Palo Alto last month, saying it happened when he reached for his phone. Shanahan was the only person who needed to be hospitalized and police didn't issue him a ticket for the cellphone use.

“Any time you cause an accident that can be avoided, you’d feel pretty stupid, especially when you have a chance to hurt someone else,” he said. I think you get mad when you get a ticket at yourself. So it was kind of the same."

Shanahan said he was driving about 20 mph and his Tesla was in autopilot mode when the crash happened but said he still shouldn't have taken his eyes off the road when he reached behind his seat for his phone.

“I’ve had autopilot for nine years, so I’m pretty comfortable with it,” he said. “Who knows what happened when I turned around, whether it malfunctioned or whether I knocked it off. That’s something that I don’t know yet. But regardless, that is always your fault, whether you’re in autopilot or not. You can’t take your eyes off the road. It’s a partnership driving. You don’t just turn it over to a computer. It’s a good lesson, no matter how comfortable I am with that, that I believe someday could save my life or someone else’s.”

Bosa sits with soreness

Star defensive end Nick Bosa missed his third straight practice with what the team described as “soreness.” Bosa is coming back from a torn ACL that ended his season in Week 3 last year.

He had only taken part in individual drills early in camp but hasn't been able to practice at all since Monday. Shanahan said he wasn't overly concerned.

“You wish that didn’t happen, but no, there’s no concern to where something’s happened that is a big setback or anything,” he said. "We’ll wait until the soreness goes away and evaluate why the soreness has happened, but I still feel pretty good about that.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cunningham, who is white, was shooting a fast-break layup in the first quarter when Carrington, who is Black, came from behind and hit her in the head and neck, knocking her to the court as the shot went in.

Cunningham said she thought the foul in the 90-86 Indiana win was “absolutely” intentional.

“Clearly I think it was unnecessary,” Cunningham said. “I’ve never really spoken to her and I have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent up stuff.”

Fever coach Stephanie White had a different view of the play.

“It was a hard foul,” White said. “I don’t think that Dijonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen, and I thought it was the right call.”

Cunningham got up immediately, charged toward Carrington and pushed her as she was held back by a teammate.

“I popped up,” Cunningham said. “I’m not going to let anyone just do that to me. I think everyone knows that. I think that’s why she did it because she wants attention.”

The play was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 2 after the referee said there was windup, impact and follow-through on the foul.

Sky coach Tyler Marsh said he hadn't seen a replay of the play, but that seeing it live, he thought Carrington was making a play on the ball and that he didn't believe it warranted a Flagrant 2 foul.

“I haven’t looked at that play since, so I really don’t know if it was justified or not,” he said. “But, that’s what I thought in the moment.”

Marsh was then asked about Carrington's social media post.

“I have to get back to you on that because I’m just now hearing about that,” he said. “So yeah, we’ll handle that.”

But Cunningham had plenty to say about the post.

“I think the league is taking care of that,” she said. "This has nothing to do with race. Last year, I did the same thing and I got kicked out. And I deserved to be kicked out. There’s no reason even to play that card.”

In the third quarter, Fever star Caitlin Clark was assessed a technical foul after she made contact with a referee when she was forced out of bounds. The technical was Clark's eighth of the season, triggering a one-game suspension for Indiana's next game if not rescinded by the league.

“She said I ran into her,” Clark said in a postgame television interview. “I’ve already watched it on the tape, so we’ll let the league decide. But it wasn’t intentional or anything, so I’m hoping it’s getting rescinded,”

Cunningham has frequently come to Clark's defense after physical play by opponents and has become one of the higher-profile players in the league this season. In an ESPN article published last month, she voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports, which led to small protests and rallies outside Fever games in Seattle and Portland.

In a memo to teams on Friday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league would have ongoing discussions about the issue of transgender participation in women's basketball.

Marsh said that the controversy surrounding Cunningham didn't add anything extra to the game.

“We didn’t come into this one with any more or less juice than we’ve had in the last four since the All-Star break," he said. "Our mindset is trying to win games.”

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

The Friday morning crash of a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter in the Fishlake National Forest ignited a new fire that spread to connect with the existing blaze that has now scorched nearly 174 square miles (nearly 451 square kilometers).

Officials battling the fire said they decided not to place additional lives at risk until the fire is more under control, so they have not been able to confirm the status of the two people aboard the helicopter. The National Interagency Fire Center said the pilot and crew member were fatally injured in the crash, but they didn't respond immediately to questions about the source of that information.

“The site is now inside the fire perimeter itself,” the fire incident management team said Saturday afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the helicopter crash once their team can examine the wreckage. Officials urged the public not to speculate or spread rumors about the cause at this early stage. It will likely take the NTSB a year or more to determine that.

In Washington state, the National Park Service closed down access to the Sunrise and White River areas of Mount Rainier National Park after a new wildfire burned less than a third of a square mile (less than a square kilometer). Firefighters were working to gain control of that fire on Saturday.

The larger fires near Spokane have now burned more than 15.63 square miles (over 40 square kilometers), but firefighters constructed more than 75 miles (over 120 kilometers) of containment line to help control those flames.

Meanwhile in Oregon, hot and dry conditions helped an uncontrolled fire spread beyond 30 square miles (77.7 square kilometers).

Firefighters were still trying to identify the best places to set up containment lines around the Wrights Spring fire as they mourned the death of 47-year-old Jason Ensign, who was killed while operating a bulldozer for a timber company. The blaze grew rapidly Thursday and cut off Ensign’s escape route.

And north of the border in British Columbia, more than 20,000 people had to evacuate ahead of another fast-moving wildfire.

The record is part of ongoing birthday celebrations for Houston, who would've turned 63 on Sunday.

There's also the fifth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala, taking place Saturday night, and a Whitney Houston Barbie — her first, ever, courtesy of parent company Mattel — releasing Sunday.

“It's a dream come true,” says Pat Houston, the executor of Whitney Houston’s estate and her sister-in-law.

In this interview, Pat Houston discusses the No. 1 hits collection, the new Barbie, if a “Michael”-style biopic is on the table and more. It has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: Why a collection of her No. 1 hits and why now?

HOUSTON: Whitney always believed that the ultimate collection represented the very best of her career. And you know, it brought together songs that defined generations. It broke records. It touched hearts around the world. And those kinds of hits were not just chart toppers, they were the soundtrack to millions of lives and a testament to a voice that will never be duplicated. So, you know, celebrating her No. 1s is really a no-brainer.

AP: There's also the first Whitney Houston Barbie arriving Sunday. She's wearing her 1987 “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” music video look.

HOUSTON: It is her first ever Barbie. And let me tell you something, what made this journey special is because Whitney and I had conversations about Barbie more than 20 years ago. And to see this vision finally come to life decades later is both emotional and very much inspiring. You know, it served as a beautiful reminder that some dreams take time. And when they’re rooted in love and purpose, you can transcend generations and that’s what this Barbie is doing.

Visiting the showroom and working hand-in-hand with Mattel’s talented team, it was an honor to witness how much they care about the creativity and the commitment they had behind celebrating Whitney’s legacy to make this such a meaningful experience.

AP: Music industry giant Clive Davis died in June. His legacy is inextricable from Whitney Houston's legacy. How do you view him?

HOUSTON: You can’t mention Whitney Houston and not mention Clive Davis and you can't mention Clive without mentioning Whitney Houston. Every conversation that Clive Davis has in music, he ultimately speaks about Whitney Houston. He played a very, very important role in her life. And it went beyond the music. They truly loved one another. He was a part of her and still is a part of her legacy.

Whitney would tell you herself, “I had the talent and the craft, but this is someone that revered my career.” And he did until the day that he died. And I so appreciate that from Clive.

AP: Next year is the 35th anniversary of “The Bodyguard.” Any big plans?

HOUSTON: There are some things that we’re working on. Until the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, I never like to say.

AP: The Michael Jackson biopic was a smash this year. Would you want to do something similar with Whitney? Maybe a two-part film?

HOUSTON: Whitney’s catalog is incredible and that voice is matchless. Of course there’s plenty of things that can be done, but you don’t want to do an overkill. You don’t wanna oversaturate the industry without having purpose. It has to have purpose in order for us to put something out there or deliver something to you.

But yes, different things come to the table all the time, but we’re cautious and careful.

AP: And 2027 marks 15 years since Whitney Houston's death. How do you hope people view her legacy?

HOUSTON: Never forgetting that voice and what she represented to the music industry. Forget about everything else, it’s what she brought to the industry. Whitney’s voice showcased passion. Her artistry is incredible.

And there are live shows that some people have never seen before. I would love to come up with or produce some of the shows and present some of those shows that have never been seen before, because it would blow you away to see that gifted talent. That's probably one of my ultimate goals, I guess. It's not just movies. But just releasing music and shows that people in other parts of the world have seen, but North America hasn't seen, if you can understand what I'm saying.

“I think Darline’s wonderful,” said Kathy Bustos of Mount Pleasant, after attending a Republican forum last week.

But that doesn't mean Bustos wants to vote for her in the state's special primary on Tuesday.

“I think it’s a very nice gesture for her to have the rest of his term to complete, but I’m not sure that she’s really qualified or ready to be elected to the Senate,” she said.

It's a common sentiment among Republican voters pondering an unexpected decision about replacing Lindsey Graham, who was nominated for a fifth term before he died from a tear in his aorta. Darline Graham was often by his side throughout his career, but she remains largely unknown in South Carolina's clubby political circles.

President Donald Trump has endorsed her, and she's backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is running television advertising to support her candidacy.

However, Graham has been largely absent from the campaign trail, spending most of her time in Washington as an interim senator. Her appointment to the role, instead of giving her a leg up over the competition, may ultimately hold her back by preventing her from getting to know voters during a weeks-long sprint to Tuesday.

A crowded field of contenders

She is up against several well-known Republicans, including Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, as well as former Gov. Mark Sanford. The crowded field makes a runoff more likely, and it would be held on Aug. 25.

All of them spoke at a Friday meeting of the Fourth District Republican Club in Greenville, but Graham sent a video message, saying she was “in Washington working hard for you." She promised to be "a great friend and ally” to Trump and that she wanted to “earn your vote.”

And at a candidate event in Florence on Saturday, where Graham spoke, some of her supporters said they backed the interim senator’s decision to stay in Washington, even if it meant not campaigning.

“She committed to not missing votes or not being there to push forward with those bills,” said Teresa Castrinos, who made the hours-long drive from Bluffton to see Graham. “I feel like she’s putting South Carolina first. She’s wanting to fulfill her time as a senator right now, so I really admire her for that.”

A low profile in Washington — and on the trail

While Lindsey Graham was single and well-known around the world, his sister lived a relatively quiet life with her husband and daughters in Lexington, South Carolina. She spent years in state government, working with people with disabilities and as an agency head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.

Before participating in a candidate forum Saturday in Florence, her only public campaign event had been a candidate forum in Lexington. Charles Brentnell of Greenville County, who was still considering his options, said he liked her decision to stay in Washington when the Senate was in session.

“Let’s keep the Senate at the Senate instead of taking a month off for no good reason,” he said.

Appearing alongside other contenders Saturday, Graham apologized for reading from notes from a lectern, pointing to the Senate votes that kept her in Washington until just hours before she headed to meet voters in South Carolina.

“Yes, I have some notes. You know why? Because I haven’t slept in two days, so I’m going to keep my thoughts straight,” Graham said, adding that she opposed Senate recess but lost out to others who wanted to end votes and go home. "I wanted to stay there, and I wanted to get things done."

Graham also participated in one of two televised debates, where she backed Trump's plan to change filibuster rules to make it easier to pass strict proof-of-citizenship voting legislation.

While other candidates came to speak to the media gathered afterward, Graham skipped the session and merely gave a thumbs-up outside when asked how she felt the debate had gone.

In contrast to her loquacious late brother, Graham has not spoken with reporters in Capitol Hill hallways or fielded questions on the stump.

She's spoken at length to Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Trey Gowdy, both of whom eulogized Lindsey Graham at memorial services last month, and granted two interviews to local news outlets.

On Saturday, in her first gaggle with reporters, Graham addressed some of voters' concerns, reiterating her commitment to do Senate work when the chamber is in session.

“I feel like my job is to be in D.C. working for everyone right now. I hate that I can't be here. I want to be here," she said. "That's why I left and didn't sleep at all last night, so I could attend today's event.”

As to the skepticism in sending Graham to Washington for six years, Graham cited her state government experience, plus the past several weeks she's had serving as interim.

“Trust me, I have learned a lot already, so I think I have experience,” she said.

A second debate took place while Graham was in Washington on Tuesday, a date her campaign pointed out had been scheduled despite the senator’s conflict.

Gigi Bray of Charleston said the idea of Darline Graham serving in the interim makes sense, but electing her to a full term does not.

“I think it’s a great honor for her to hold her brother’s spot till November, but it’s time for a change,” said Bray, who backs Sanford. “I don’t think she has a lot of government experience, and I think right now, with the state of our country, I think it’s very important that somebody has experience.”

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

Here’s a look at developments across the Middle East on Saturday. Full coverage can be found here.

Iran says the strait won't open until the US ‘corrects’ its behavior

Iran's politburo-like body known as the Supreme National Security Council said the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States “corrects its behavior," issuing new demands that could shake up talks on a deal to manage the waterway and traffic on it.

Iran's state broadcaster published the statement by the council’s secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who is also a commander in the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The United States must never threaten Iran again, the statement said, and must permanently end the war with Iran and its armed allies in the region. The U.S. must lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its military from the area. It also must “completely compensate” Iran for war damage, lift sanctions and “unconditionally” release frozen assets.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S., which has wanted an acceptable deal first on the strait before ending the blockade. According to the interim deal signed in June, a schedule to end sanctions and plan on compensation would be part of the final deal, and negotiations would address frozen assets.

A 60-day period to negotiate a final deal will end in just over a week but could be extended.

Iran has said it was close to reaching a separate deal with Oman to manage the strait, which runs between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier Saturday said they were close to reaching an agreement on navigation, “specifically the determination of a transit route.” But the waterway’s reopening is contingent on other conditions, he said in remarks shared on social media, and blamed the situation on what he called the U.S. violation of the interim deal.

Oman, a mediator Gulf Arab country which has said relatively little on the talks, said in a statement Saturday that the discussions were ongoing “in a positive and constructive atmosphere,” and condemned attacks on ships on the strait.

The strait, crucial to global supplies of oil and natural gas, had been considered an international waterway before the war. Ship transits remain low.

Iran attacks a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE says

A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned ADNOC oil and gas company was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati authorities said earlier Saturday. The Foreign Ministry said Iran fired the missile as part of attacks on commercial shipping.

ADNOC in a statement said there were no casualties following the attack early Saturday. The company said over a dozen of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the strait since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran in February. One crew member has been killed and 20 others wounded, it said.

ADNOC didn’t elaborate on the attack's location or any damage.

Later, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said a vessel east of the town of Khasab, Oman, had been struck by a projectile that caused a fire that was put out, with the vessel and crew safe. It was not clear whether this was the ADNOC incident.

A defense deal is not aimed at any third country, Turkey says

A defense agreement that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed on Friday is not aimed against any third country, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. It says an attack on one would be considered an attack on all three.

Fidan told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on Saturday that the countries do not view any state as an adversary unless it takes hostile action against them: “We don’t have anything written down — nothing we’ve signed — that defines a common threat."

Asked how the mutual defense mechanism would work, Fidan said a member would formally request help and the two countries’ assistance could range from intelligence-sharing to logistics support or the deployment of military units. The mechanism would establish a secretariat to be based in Saudi Arabia, Fidan said.

He said other nations, which he did not name, have expressed interest in joining the agreement, adding that he expects Egypt, which he described as a “natural partner,” to participate “at the next stage.”

Yemen's military attacks Iran-backed Houthis

The attacks were in response to the Houthis’ recent strikes in central and eastern Yemen. Col. Majed al-Nazili, spokesperson for Yemen’s military, said the attacks targeted the rebels’ “sites and capabilities” on multiple front lines, without elaborating.

The escalation between the Houthis and Yemen's internationally recognized government and its backer, a Saudi-supported coalition, threatens to reignite Yemen’s civil war following a 2022 truce.

Turkey’s Kurdish peace bill wins approval in parliament

A Turkish draft law aimed at advancing a peace effort with the country's Kurdish insurgents passed its first hurdle in parliament on Saturday. A committee approved the measure. It is expected to be approved in the general assembly next week.

Last year, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, declared its decision to disarm and disband as part of the peace initiative aimed at ending the decades-long conflict with the Turkish state.

The draft legislation defines the procedures for the group’s disarmament and rehabilitation of some PKK members. The measures would come into effect once Turkey’s National Security Council confirms that the group has disbanded and surrendered all weapons.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since it began in the 1980s. Turkey and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization.

Water levels at the reservoir, which straddles the Arizona-Nevada border outside Las Vegas, hit 1,040.4 feet (317.1 meters) above sea level on Friday, according to federal data. That’s just below the record set on July 28, 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

“It's extremely significant and extremely concerning. You have three-quarters of the population of the Colorado River Basin, some 30 million people, who are directly impacted by risks to Lake Mead,” said J.B. Hamby, chairman of the Colorado River Board of California and a board member of the Imperial Irrigation District, the largest user of the river’s water.

Hamby said it is vital for states that use Colorado River water to reduce water use.

Drought and dry conditions have stretched along the length of the Colorado and are particularly intense at its source in the Rocky Mountains.

Melting snow provides important water for the river. This past winter, however, saw the worst snowpack on record for the Colorado River Basin, adding more stress on farmers, industry, wildlife and hydropower producers, as well as the 40 million people across seven U.S. states, tribal nations and Mexico who rely on the waterway.

Years of overuse combined with drought and rising temperatures have been depleting Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the country’s second-largest reservoir. Both are the lowest they have been in nearly seven decades.

To protect the strained system's ability to produce hydropower, federal officials said Thursday that they will not release cool Lake Powell water from Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona to protect a threatened native fish, the humpback chub, whose habitat is between the reservoirs.

Federal officials recently announced a short-term proposal to stave off a crisis in the beleaguered waterway, after states that rely on it — California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah — failed to reach an agreement on how to share the dwindling resource in the long term.

The federal proposal called for the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada to take less water. The Bureau of Reclamation, which released the plan, said it was flexible: Deeper cuts could happen in drier times, while states would have more time to collectively agree on how to manage the scarce resources.

Severe drought in 2022 on Lake Mead, which is held back by Hoover Dam, exposed human remains and forced water officials in Las Vegas to pump water from deeper within the reservoir to continue to supply water to millions of people.

Levels at Lake Powell have dropped so much that it has become difficult to descend far enough to reach the water. Boat ramps have had to move, shut down or be built anew.

Lake Mead and Lake Powell are not alone. Of the 54 Western reservoirs tracked by the Bureau of Reclamation, nine recently recorded their lowest levels in the last three decades.

Federal officials do not believe the record will stay where it is. According to modeling done in July, Lake Mead is forecast to continue dropping through much of the rest of the year.

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Associated Press writer Michael Phillis in Washington contributed.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

But whether the public will get to see that footage remains largely up to ICE.

The agency defended its body-worn camera policy amid questions about provisions allowing ICE leadership to withhold or indefinitely delay footage after serious injuries or deaths in custody. Acting Director David J. Venturella said the restrictions are intended to protect investigations and privacy and are consistent with federal law and policies at other federal law enforcement agencies.

Venturella’s statement came in response to an Associated Press report on ICE policy, including a provision calling for the expedited release of footage after a serious injury or death in custody when doing so is determined to be in the “best interests of the agency.”

Venturella said the AP “mischaracterized” the policy by conflating that provision with ICE’s broader authority to release body-camera footage. He said the policy clarifies that footage should not be released when doing so could compromise investigations or privacy.

The AP report did not say the provision governs every release of body-camera footage. It focused on ICE’s policy for releasing footage after some of the most consequential encounters with the public: those involving serious injury or death.

The AP sought comment from ICE before its initial story on Friday. The agency provided partial responses, without addressing the provision that footage would be released when in its “best interests.”

ICE has been under heightened scrutiny since the fatal shooting in July of a 25-year-old motorist in Maine by an ICE officer with a history of violent behavior. Days earlier, another ICE officer shot and killed a Houston homebuilder driving to work. Neither shooting was recorded with body cameras.

Venturella said ICE was “committed to transparency and accountability” and was “on track to equip every officer and agent in the field with body-worn cameras by the end of August.”

The AP quoted Christopher Schneider, a sociology professor at Brandon University in Canada, who said that selective releases are routine in some law enforcement agencies but usually not so clearly contemplated in policy. “In some ways, ICE is saying the quiet part out loud,” he said.

The story noted that ICE’s sister agency, Customs and Border Protection, has not released footage of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott told lawmakers that it was part of an investigation and would be made public “when it’s appropriate."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on Friday. It states that an attack on one would be considered an attack on all three.

The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia and nuclear power Pakistan as well as Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense industry. It deepens cooperation and deterrence at a time of increased regional uncertainty and threats from the war in Iran.

In an interview with Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan insisted that the three countries do not view any particular state as an adversary unless they take hostile action against them.

“We don’t have anything written down — nothing we’ve signed — that defines a common threat,” Fidan said. “Any country that does not attack us is not a target for us.”

The Turkish minister described the agreement's clause on mutual defense as being “technically the same” as NATO's Article 5, under which an attack on one of the 32 members is considered an attack on them all.

Asked how the mechanism would work, Fidan said a member would need to formally request help and that the other two countries’ assistance could range from intelligence sharing to logistic support — or the deployment of military units depending on the threat.

“These are multi‑layered matters that vary according to the scale of the threat,” Fidan said. “This is the perspective we have set out so far in our work.”

The Turkish minister said other nations — which he did not name — have expressed interest in joining the agreement, adding that he expects Egypt, which he described as a “natural partner,” to participate “at the next stage.”

Under the deal, the foreign and defense ministers of the three countries, along with their military chiefs, would hold regular committee meetings. The three countries would also establish a secretariat, to be based in Saudi Arabia, Fidan said.

Getting benched three times in the NFL helped him get there.

“Marty Schottenheimer, one of the greatest coaches and motivators to ever coach this game and who belongs here in Canton,” Brees said Saturday. “Marty was my biggest fan. He would tell me all the time, even as he benched me three times and made me fight for my job every year with two greats, Doug Flutie and Philip Rivers.

“The first two times I got benched, I deserved it. The third time, I still don’t think I deserved it, Coach. But nonetheless, it lit more than a fire. It forced me to access a place in my mind and heart that I had not yet been. The adversity was not expected, but very necessary. I would never have reached the heights I did without it. I knew I needed to play better, but more importantly, I knew he believed I would play better.”

Brees eventually left the San Diego Chargers and joined the New Orleans Saints, where he won a Super Bowl playing for coach Sean Payton and became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, to the delight of fans who filled the Superdome with chants of “Who dat?”

Payton took time off from coaching Denver to introduce Brees on stage.

Brees got emotional thanking Payton.

“You always had a plan and vision for every player you coached,” Brees said. “I’m not sure if this is how you envisioned my journey or how big a role you would play in it, but I love you for it.”

Brees has the second-most yards passing (80,358) and touchdown passes (571) in league history, behind only Tom Brady. He was a first-ballot selection and joined a class that includes Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.

“I often ask myself how in the world did I play 20 years in the NFL,” Brees said. “Yes, it was for the love of the game. Yes, it was a relentless attempt to master my craft. Yes, it was the grind and challenge of preparation and the thrill of game day. But you want to know what it really was: for the love of my teammates. I would wake up every day with a burning desire to commit, sacrifice and command in a way that would give them everything they deserved.”

Larry Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald was the first player to have his bronze bust revealed on stage Saturday at Tom Benson Stadium.

The 11-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, who played his entire 17-year career for the Cardinals, was introduced by the oldest of his three sons, Devin.

He finished his speech with a message to his boys that’s applicable to everyone.

“Don’t just pursue excellence for yourself,” Fitzgerald said. “Help other people pursue it, too. That’s the part of this story that matters the most. Not the likes. Not the fame. But the people you travel with. The values you uphold. In the end, it’s not just about the excellence. It’s about the people who help get you there.”

Being drafted No. 3 overall in 2004 by Cardinals coach Dennis Green reunited Fitzgerald with the man who was Minnesota’s coach when he was a ball boy for the Vikings.

“When coach Green hired me as a ball boy, I grew up watching legends being built right in front of me,” Fitzgerald said. “Hall of Fame players like John Randle, Chris Doleman, Randall McDaniel and Warren Moon, who taught me what it means to demand more of yourself than anyone else ever would. Plus, they saw me.”

Fitzgerald thanked Hall of Fame receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss for their influence on his career during his time working for the Vikings as a kid. He singled out former Cardinals teammates Emmitt Smith and Kurt Warner for showing him how to be a professional.

“Kurt, when you demanded that I elevate my preparation, consistency and accountability, you dragged me to the winner’s circle,” Fitzgerald said. “The timing couldn’t have been better for an impressionable kid, and I continue to aspire to be the kind of man you are.”

Fitzgerald is second on the NFL’s career list in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). His 121 touchdown catches are sixth.

Adam Vinatieri

Vinatieri became only the third full-time placekicker to be inducted into the Hall, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.

He may have a new career in comedy.

Vinatieri drew plenty of laughs and cheers with jokes about Bill Belichick, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

“And Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for today’s teleprompter,” Vinatieri cracked. “A gigantic forehead means big brain and your football IQ is unmatched.”

Manning nodded his head with a smile from his seat among the Hall of Famers.

Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals. Only George Blanda (26) and Andersen (25) had longer NFL careers than Vinatieri’s 24 seasons.

“When people hear the word greatness, they usually think about the biggest names on the biggest stages,” Vinatieri said. “But greatness isn’t created under bright lights. Greatness is built on empty practice fields when it’s below zero. Greatness is sacrificing temporary fun for meaningful outcomes. Greatness is turning doubt into belief. Preparation matters. Character matters.

“And to all the doubters, thank you. Your criticism became fuel. Your doubt became motivation. You helped make me better.”

Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon introduced Vinatieri, who won his fourth Super Bowl with Indianapolis after earning three championship rings in New England.

Luke Kuechly

At 35, Kuechly became the second-youngest player inducted into the Hall. Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers was 34 when he was inducted in 1977.

Introduced by his father, Tom, Kuechly was inducted on the same field where he led St. Xavier High School to a state championship in 2007.

Known for his intense study habits, Kuechly was a five-time All-Pro linebacker, the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year during his eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers. Kuechly decided to retire in part to preserve his brain health after suffering several concussions.

“This game teaches you a lot if you’re willing to observe and listen,” Kuechly said. “It’s taught me resilience, consistency, toughness, the value of communication, how to find common ground, and most importantly how to enjoy it along the way cause often times the best moments are the ones you are in.”

Roger Craig

Craig, who revealed in a video speech that he has vascular dementia, became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have done it since.

“You spend your whole life trying to prove you belong and one day you’re told you’re one of the all-time greats. Man, it’s overwhelming,” Craig said.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

The Rosario-based Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys announced his death in a social media post that said he had undergone treatment in recent months for an unspecified illness. The post described him as “the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigor and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”

The South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, in a statement also offered its condolences “with respect and affection for Lionel.”

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a runner-up finish in this year's World Cup. In the team's first match, against Algeria, he was visibly emotional after scoring the first of his three goals. He said later that he wept for “a reason unrelated to sports.”

“I went through some difficult, complicated days,” he said. “I am grateful to the delegation, to all my teammates, because they were always by my side wishing me strength so that I would be OK.”

Media reports at the time outraged the Messi family, which days later released a statement confirming that “Jorge is experiencing a health issue,” without specifying the nature of his condition.

“A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest,” according to the statement, which also expressed “discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter.”

Jorge Messi was a chemical technician and worked as a steelworker. He played soccer as a midfielder and reached the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys but had to abandon the sport to complete his mandatory military service in Argentina.

He played a fundamental role in his third son’s career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs. He was the one who traveled with a young Messi to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that would open the doors to La Masia, the club’s youth academy. Lionel Messi made his professional debut in 2005 and went on to win eight Ballon d’Or awards. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.

“My dad was always by my side,” Lionel Messi said in a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata. “Sometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry when we arrived in Barcelona, or my dad would do the same without me seeing him, or thinking I didn’t see him. We pretended we were both OK, but we weren’t. My dad even asked me what I wanted to do when we were feeling down, if I wanted to stay or go back, and I wanted to stay, and he stayed with me.”

His father negotiated the contracts with Barça and later his transfers to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while also managing the use of his famous son’s image rights and his numerous investments in real estate, hotels, and restaurants.

In 2013, father and son were accused by a Spanish prosecutor of trying to conceal earnings from the player's image rights. Jorge Messi paid more than than 5 million euros ($6.6 million) on Aug. 14 to cover alleged back taxes and interest.

In Rosario, a sign at the VIP Rosario restaurant, one of the Messi family’s gastronomic ventures, indicated that it was closed for the day.

The president of Argentina's soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, on Saturday issued a lengthy statement in which he recognized Jorge Messi “for having raised a person of values: humble, respectful, and deeply committed to others.”

The organization ordered a moment of silence to be observed at all matches across all categories of Argentine soccer and mandated that players, referees and coaching staff wear black armbands.

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Barreiro reported from Montevideo, Uruguay.

With former teammate Jorge Posada catching him, Rivera threw 11 pitches to four batters. The 56-year-old faced Mickey Rivers, Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher and Shane Spencer in the exhibition game, which returned last season for the first time since 2019.

“They’re still moving,” Rivera said about his pitches on the YES Network broadcast. “That’s good and the reaction is good.”

Rivera, who hit an inside-the-park homer in his 2019 appearance, also took an at-bat against Mike Stanton and jogged to first when he flew out to center field.

Rivera was introduced last, just as Joe DiMaggio used to be. To the strains of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” the Hall of Fame closer doffed his cap and waved to the fans.

Rivera, baseball’s career leader in saves, underwent surgery after getting hurt playing center field last year. During an at-bat by Willie Randolph, Rivera took a step and fell to the ground in shallow center field behind second base.

“It was tough, but I still have to do it,” Rivera said. “We continue going and moving better. I’m here. I’m good enough to be here.”

Rivera tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in May 2012 while shagging fly balls in batting practice in Kansas City. He returned for his final season in 2013 and finished with 652 saves in the regular season and 42 in the postseason, including 11 in the World Series.

He was a setup man for John Wetteland in 1996 and took over the closer’s role the following year, helping the Yankees win three straight titles from 1998 to 2000 and another title in 2009.

The Yankees were outscored 12-1 in the first two games against the Braves at Yankee Stadium in 1996 before winning three straight in Atlanta and taking the series at home in Game 6.

“We never gave up,” Rivera said about the 1996 team. “We were a team that never gave up literally. As a matter of fact in the World Series, we were down 2-0 going into Atlanta with those big monsters on the mound and we were able to overcome that and seal the deal here in New York. It sounds easy, but it wasn’t easy."

Rivera also threw the last pitch of New York’s most recent World Series title against the Phillies in Game 6. Since then, New York’s lone World Series was a five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.

The ceremony featured 11 players from New York’s 1996 World Series title team, including Bernie Williams, Posada, and Paul O’Neill along with manager Joe Torre. Derek Jeter did not attend for the second straight year after appearing in 2023 and 2024, when the format was a question and answer session with WFAN broadcaster Suzyn Waldman.

There were four first-time attendees, including David Weathers, whose son Ryan is 5-7 with a 3.79 ERA in 22 starts in his first season with the Yankees. Also in attendance for the first time were current YES Network broadcasters Dellin Betances, Todd Frazier and Adam Ottavino.

“For your kid to be a part of it is way better than when I played,” David Weathers said.

The event began with a tribute to longtime radio announcer John Sterling, who died in May. The widows of five-time manager Billy Martin, captain Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer were also introduced as part of an event that began in 1947 when Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth first appeared.

Tommy John not in attendance, posts message about health on social media

Tommy John, who won 91 games in two separate stints for the Yankees, did not attend and shared a vague message about his health.

In a lengthy social media post that did not detail an exact health issue, the 83-year-old John wrote that he wanted to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends and fans who followed him throughout his 26-year career.

John was 288-231 with a 3.34 ERA in 760 appearances. Besides eight seasons with the Yankees, John pitched for the White Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Guardians and Athletics.

He also underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in 1974 that was named after him and has been performed on numerous pitchers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

“We have very clear expectations about how we want to practice, how you go about our business,” coach Klint Kubiak said. “We violated that yesterday, so we held those guys out. That's all I'm going to say about it. We addressed it with the team and we're moving on.”

Cousins and Crosby had to be separated by teammates after the fight. The 37-year-old quarterback appeared upset that Crosby tipped his pass, forcing an incompletion, and then charged the 6-foot-5, 256-pound defensive end, who is three inches taller and 42 pounds heavier.

The Raiders are off Sunday before returning Monday morning, so their starting quarterback and star pass rusher will compete against each other again, though, Kubiak hopes, without any punches.

Mendoza has ups and downs against first-team defense

With Cousins watching Saturday, Mendoza — the Heisman Trophy winner at Indiana who was taken first overall in the NFL draft — threw touchdown passes to tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and wide receiver Tre Tucker.

He also had some misfires while facing the starting defense for the first time, but showed agility in eluding pressure to find open receivers.

“Fernando continues to improve, and the thing I think we're very pleased about is from spring to the start of camp, there were some parts of this game we wanted him to improve upon and he has as we've added different layers and dimensions,” quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan said. “He's not repeating mistakes, which is always a good thing. It's a long process. We're pleased with how he's developing.”

Kubiak has said Mendoza, brought to Las Vegas to be the franchise quarterback, would be able to run the first-team offense at some point in camp.

The timing of getting that chance Saturday probably doesn't hurt, given that the Raiders open their preseason schedule Thursday night when they host the Arizona Cardinals. Kubiak hasn't made any announcements on how he plans to use his quarterbacks, but Mendoza probably will at least see the field early and possibly start.

Cousins likely will be the starter when the season begins, but even then, Kubiak has made no promises. The Raiders are expected to turn to Mendoza at some point this season.

“The visual and verbal communication he's made, certainly the ability to take snaps under center, those are things we've seen him improve upon,” Sullivan said. “He's going to continue to work on and we want him to still want him to be even better. But we're pleased with where that's at right now.”

Injury updates

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor returned to practice after sitting out Friday with an unspecified injury, but defensive ends Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford as well as wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. remained out.

Caleb Rogers, who is competing with Jackson Powers-Johnson at right guard, appeared to injure his left arm or elbow, but wound up returning.

“I feel great,” Rogers said, without going into specifics.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Gabriel Lahijani and Karendeep “Karina” Bath allege the front seats of certain Mercedes AMG vehicles have a design defect where the raised metallic AMG logo is “reasonably expected to contact an occupant’s upper back, neck, or shoulder,” according to the court document filed earlier this week in the U.S. District Court of California’s Western division.

The plaintiffs want Mercedes to compensate them for any medical expenses, as well as any pain, suffering and emotional distress they can prove at trial. They also want Mercedes to pay for other owners to have the logo removed from their cars.

Mercedes-Benz couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Lahigani, a Los Angeles resident, had leased a new 2026 Mercedes-AMG E-Class vehicle from an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership in Los Angeles, according to the suit. He reported receiving second-degree burns on his back on May 31, after entering his vehicle wearing a tank top. A board-certified dermatologist subsequently documented first- and second-degree burns, describing the injury as “AMG inscribed."

Roughly six weeks later, Bath, a Chatsworth, California resident, received similar burns allegedly from the logo design while wearing a sleeveless top. After parking her Mercedes-AMG vehicle in Los Angeles, Bath returned to the vehicle and entered the driver’s seat, the suit said. Her shoulder immediately touched the logo, causing a burning sensation. In the following days, a mark in the shape of the AMG logo “darkened and became visible on her skin, consistent with a thermal contact burn," the lawsuit said.

In December, Mercedes-Benz USA and parent company Daimer AG agreed to pay $149.6 million to settle allegations that the automaker secretly installed devices in hundreds of thousands of vehicles to pass emission tests, according to an announcement by a coalition of attorneys general.

According to the coalition, between 2008 and 2016 the German automaker equipped more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans with software devices that optimized emission controls during tests but reduced the controls during normal operations.

The former San Francisco 49ers star running back spoke in a prerecorded video message while he sat on stage wearing his gold jacket at Tom Benson Stadium on Saturday. Presented by former teammate Jamie Williams, he received a standing ovation from the crowd and hugs from the many Hall of Famers on stage.

Nearly eight minutes into a nine-minute speech, Craig announced his diagnosis, saying his doctors believe “it may be related, at least in part, to the concussions” he experienced during his playing career.

“The changes were gradual,” Craig said. “At first, they were easy to dismiss as normal aging. Over time, my family noticed, too.”

Symptoms of vascular dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic, include: confusion; trouble finding the right words; difficulty paying attention; trouble organizing thoughts or actions; difficulty planning and following through with plans; slowed thinking; uncertainty about what to do next; and memory issues.

“Two things could be true,” Craig said. “Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I can imagine. It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played. I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn’t feel right.

“I want people to know that this diagnosis doesn’t define me. I am still Roger Craig. I am still a father, still a husband, a teammate, a friend and someone who loves this game and the people who brought it to my life. If sharing my story helps even one family or one former player, then it’s worth it. Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, lifelong friends and the platform to grow as a man. This honor belongs to my parents who started it all.”

Selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 1983 draft as a fullback out of Nebraska, Craig become one of the most versatile players in league history.

He excelled as a runner, receiver and blocker, helping the 49ers win three of their five Super Bowls.

In 1985, Craig became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. He was the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988.

“When I learned that Bill Walsh wanted me, that meant something because he saw something in me that others didn’t,” Craig said. “He didn’t just want a running back, he wanted a complete football player. He trusted me to do whatever the team needed. That’s why a 1,000-yard rushing, 1,000-yard receiving season means so much to me. We weren’t chasing numbers. We were chasing wins. I didn’t realize I was making history. It just felt like we were doing something special as a team. Looking back, I can appreciate how difficult it is and how few players have done it since.

“What means the most is knowing we helped expand what people thought a running back could be. None of that happens without great teammates. What made those 49ers teams special: We weren’t selfish. We didn’t care who got the credit. We cared about winning.”

Craig was selected from the seniors category and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 with Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The reports help give investors and economists a better sense of where prices are moving on a wide range of goods and services, while also providing a clearer picture on the impact to businesses and households.

On Wednesday, the U.S. will release its consumer price index, or CPI, for July. It is a detailed report on prices for a wide range of goods and services. Economists expect it to show that the rate of inflation remains above 3%.

On Thursday, the U.S. will release its producer price index, or PPI, for July. It shows costs for businesses before they’ve passed them along to consumers. That helps give a more detailed view of some of the inflation pressures facing companies.

On Friday, the U.S. will release its retail sales report for July. It gives details on monthly sales for a wide range of businesses. The data in the report can also give clues as to how much people are spending and where they are focusing their spending.

Inflation remains a key focus for Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. Stubborn inflation could hurt consumer spending, and in turn, the broader economy. The Fed has been closely watching inflation’s direction and is expected to raise interest rates in order to help tame rising costs before the end of the year.

Johnson missed four days of training camp this week for personal reasons before he returned Friday.

The 36-year-old Johnson was a first-round pick in 2013 and was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2022. He earned second-team honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Johnson took a leave of absence during the 2021 season as he battled anxiety and depression and has since shared his story at mental health clinics in the area.

He said his latest leave had more to do with family issues, specifically taking care of his parents, and that his priorities had shifted more toward life outside football.

“I'm looking potentially this is probably going to be my last year,” Johnson said after Saturday's practice. “Just because I am getting to that point of, those priorities away from football are starting to merge. Not that I don't enjoy (it), I love everything about this game, preparing for it, but it's kind of where I'm at in my career.”

Johnson has been a pillar at right tackle and won a pair of Super Bowls with the Eagles.

“I still feel like I can be a premier tackle in this league,” Johnson said. “My movement and everything feels good.”

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, said his potential retirement came into focus last season after conversations with his family and an injury-plagued season. He missed Philadelphia’s final seven regular-season games and the wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Johnson was suspended for 10 games by the NFL in 2016 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was also suspended the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the policy.

He said his teammates already knew he was considering ending his career.

“I feel like planning on having a really good last year,” Johnson said. “I'm trying to soak in these last six months, seven months.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC broadcast late on Friday, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father’s condition, describing it as very sad to watch.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further," he said. "It’s very painful and it's very debilitating in many respects.”

Joe Biden, 83, was the oldest man to serve as U.S. president and his age was a source of concern for much of his four years in office. He and his White House advisers have faced intense criticism for allegedly concealing the extent of his problems, especially after he was forced to abandon his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with his eventual successor, Donald Trump.

The former president revealed his cancer diagnosis in May of last year, less than four months after he left the White House.

Hunter Biden said the diagnosis had been tough on the family.

“It's really sad to watch," Biden said. “The only thing that I'd say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”

But Biden said his father remains “out there," speaking publicly about the issues that are important to him.

“He’s still doing his thing," he said. “He so believes in this country."

The former president will publish a memoir, “Promise Me, America,” after the mid-term elections.

The Micah 6 Community organization distributed about 1,200 pairs of brand-new shoes to area families, offering a wide variety of colors and sizes so every child could find a pair that fits.

The effort was born from a simple question: What do families need most?

“A number of years ago somebody said shoes. We need back to school shoes. A bridge card doesn’t buy shoes, so I said okay we can help with that,” said Coleman Yoakum, executive director of Micah 6 Community.

For many parents, the giveaway came at just the right time.

“My one niece she’s somewhere around here, but she’s got five kids. That’s a real financial burden for her. Shoes are really expensive. It’s crazy how expensive they are,” said Belinda Grada, a parent at the event.

Beyond easing costs, organizers wanted kids to feel genuinely excited about going back to school — right down to what’s on their feet.

“It’s like their first day of school in some nice shoes. You can’t beat that. They’re so excited they hold them and say ‘I’ve got to use this tomorrow mom. I’m so happy,’” Grada said.

For the kids themselves, new shoes weren’t the only thing to look forward to.

When asked what she was most excited about heading back to school, third-grader Zuri Arnett smiled and said, “To see my friends and make new friends.”

The event was made possible through a network of community support that Yoakum says is central to everything Micah 6 does.

“So many community partners come in to make it happen, all of these great vendors that share resources. They’re just here to help our families,” Yoakum said.

The Micah 6 Community organization has been serving the Pontiac area since 2012, with a mission centered on supporting local families and children.

“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”

The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.

In an ESPN article published last month, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham's comments sparked small rallies and protests in Seattle and Portland when the Fever were on the road last week.

There was a lone protester at the Fever's home game against Las Vegas on Thursday night. Indiana visits Chicago on Saturday. Members of two conservative groups are planning a rally in support of Cunningham ahead of that game.

The league hasn’t made any public comments on the issue.

Engelbert wrote that the league will “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”

The league's collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. On Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.

“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”

The WNBA players' association released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group “will not be used as political pawns.”

“We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the statement read. “Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”

Some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

“We need to protect trans kids,” Reeve said on Aug. 1. “To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.”

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Four people, including a child, were killed in the overnight strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region. Ukrainian forces hit Russian oil facilities.

Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday for his first official visit to Serbia.

Speaking at a news conference in Belgrade with Zelenskyy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described Ukraine as a “friendly nation” and said he was honored to welcome the Ukrainian leader — the first visit by a Ukrainian president in eight years.

The two leaders discussed their countries’ efforts toward joining the European Union, bilateral ties and ways to expand cooperation.

Kyiv’s residents face regular drone and missile barrages that Ukraine’s depleted air defenses are struggling to counter amid Moscow’s 4-year-old full-scale invasion, while repeated Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities have caused fuel shortages and rattled Russians.

Paperwork holds up missile production licenses

Vucic, who has maintained close ties with Moscow and refused to sanction Russia over the invasion — drawing pressure from the EU to change course — reiterated that Serbia respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and said that position would not change.

“The situation in Ukraine is difficult,” Zelenskyy said at the press conference. “There was another missile strike last night — ballistic missiles targeting our infrastructure. There were also attack drones.”

Zelenskyy said that deliveries of Patriot air defense interceptors — the sole air defense weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal able to shoot down ballistic missiles — have slowed compared with a year ago.

“There are fewer of these missiles in 2026. In 2025 there were more, I’ll tell you honestly, in terms of monthly supplies,” he said.

Zelenskyy said Washington has agreed to let Ukraine manufacture its own Patriot air defense interceptors, but that they are “stuck dealing with paperwork.”

“The process for some of these licenses is also taking a long time,” he said.

Boy killed with grandparents in Kyiv region

The talks in Belgrade came after multiple Russian drones destroyed the home of a family in the Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv, killing a 3-year-old child and his grandparents, local officials said.

Three other members of the same family and a neighbor who came to their aid were hospitalized, local authorities said. The attack reduced the house to rubble and wrecked outbuildings and cars.

Zelenskyy said at least one other person died in a “strike involving six ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure” in the capital.

In its daily report, Ukraine’s air force said it had downed or intercepted 135 of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight. The attack also involved six ballistic missiles and other guided missiles.

Russia has relentlessly pounded civilian areas of Ukraine, even though Moscow insists its forces target only military facilities.

Ukraine’s air defenses shot down around 5,300 drones and missiles last month, Ukraine’s defense ministry said Friday, just under 60% of the around 9,000 attack drones and missiles Russia fired in the same period.

Moscow is exploiting Ukraine’s critical shortage of interceptors for the U.S.-made Patriot systems, the sole air defense weapon in its arsenal able to shoot down ballistic missiles.

Zelenskyy has pleaded with other countries, especially the U.S., to send more of the ammunition made scarcer by the Iran war. Failing that, he wants to make Patriot ammunition in Ukraine or win permission from Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia that can hit its missile launchers.

Following the latest attacks, Zelenskyy appealed on X for more sanctions to “prevent the production of these ballistic missiles,” along with “anti-ballistic capabilities” and “interceptor missiles.”

Ukraine strikes Russian oil facilities

In Russia, six people were wounded when a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery, in the southern Krasnodar region, due to debris from a falling drone, local officials said.

Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian forces struck the refinery in Krasnodar, along with the Syzran Oil Refinery in the Samara region, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) inside Russia.

Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, governor of Russia’s Samara region, said drones hit an “industrial enterprise,” but he did not mention the refinery.

Ukraine’s almost daily long-range drone and missile strikes using domestically developed weapons have battered Russian oil facilities for months. The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.

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Yurchuk reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.

The 14-year-old opened fire at around 10 a.m. Friday at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province northwest of the Thai capital before apparently taking his own life. He also appeared to have killed his two grandparents at his family home earlier in the morning, officials said.

The girl, 12, died after hospitalization, the Health Ministry said. The school had posted a message on Facebook Friday seeking blood donations for two students, including the girl, who was in seventh grade.

Fourteen people remain hospitalized, of whom seven remain in critical condition Saturday, according to Thailand’s Health Ministry. Most of those wounded were between 12 and 14 years old.

Relatives claimed the bodies of eight people from Bangkok’s Institute of Forensic Medicine: five school staff, the accused shooter, and his grandparents. Emergency workers brought out a coffin and loaded it onto an ambulance, which will transport the bodies to their hometowns for funeral rites.

The young girl’s body is still to be released.

Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, said most of the victims suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, including the chest or head.

He said the gunshot wound found on the alleged shooter was consistent with the weapon he had used. More detailed forensic findings, including toxicology results, are expected later, he said.

Officials said the gun, described as small and compact, was legally registered to the boy’s grandfather.

There were reports that the boy, who lived with his grandparents, had shown signs of stress connected to school, although some of his relatives told Thai media that they were unaware of any troubles he might have been facing.

The co-educational state school, which has about 3,000 students enrolled aged 12 to 18, said all classes would be suspended between Aug. 10-14 and school staff were instructed to work from home during that time.

A few mourners laid flowers Saturday morning at the school's gate, where a few police officers could be seen.

Charin Siriananchai brought his two sons, ages 9 and 6, to pay their respects. He said while his sons do not study here, he lives in the neighborhood and drives past this school almost every day, often stopping to allow students to cross the road.

“Everyone was saddened and shocked, because it was unexpected that this would happen in Thailand, and also it’s quite a great loss,” he said.

Some parents also came with their children to collect their belongings left behind after the shooting. A father, who declined to identify himself, said his son, who was at the school during the shooting, was still in shock and could not sleep alone.

Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, second only to Pakistan and far surpassing its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Data collected in 2017 by the groups Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org in their last extensive international study found civilian gun ownership in Thailand was about 15.1 guns per 100 people, compared with less than one per 100 in neighboring Malaysia.

Thailand had 3.49 deaths by firearms per 100,000 people, according to 2023 statistics published by World Population Review. That puts it well behind parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, but relatively high in Asia. Only the Philippines is higher in Southeast Asia.

While shootings involving indiscriminate killings are not common, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile shooting deaths in recent years.

In February, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage in a two-hour attack that killed one person and wounded two others.

A 14-year-old boy was accused of a 2023 shooting at a major Bangkok shopping mall.

The Republican-led Senate voted 50-49 to make Blanche the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his political enemies. While Blanche has already been leading the department in an acting capacity, his confirmation could free him to pursue the administration’s agenda even more aggressively.

Blanche said on social media that he was “deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me,” adding that he was “grateful” to senators for working late to confirm him.

The vote followed a tumultuous confirmation fight that exposed deep concerns — from some Republicans as well as Democrats — about installing Trump’s close ally atop a Justice Department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House.

In the end, Blanche was confirmed by the narrowest of margins, opposed by two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — and by every Democrat.

The path to confirmation for Blanche was unusually rocky, due in large part to Republican concerns about a controversial settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS.

Under pressure, Blanche publicly promised in writing that the department would abandon Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for the president’s allies, including those who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and rein in another piece of the settlement designed to shield Trump and his family from IRS tax audits.

His appeals were enough to win over Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, the decisive vote who threw his support behind Blanche on Friday morning. Cassidy said no other nominee may be able to run the department better under Trump and suggested Blanche’s role as Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer can make him more effective at pushing back on the Republican president’s demands.

“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” said Cassidy, who lost his primary this year to a Trump-backed challenger.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said confirming Blanche would be a “serious mistake.” He begged his colleagues not to be on the “wrong side” of history.

“If there is ever a moment in history when we need an Attorney General above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it’s right now,” Durbin said.

Blanche’s loyalty to Trump left senators skeptical

The vote capped off a bruising confirmation fight, with Blanche’s loyalty to Trump at the center of the stalemate.

Blanche was elevated to the top Justice Department post in an acting capacity after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. Blanche moved swiftly to advance the president’s interests, accelerating investigations into Trump’s perceived foes and announcing the settlement that created the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate people who feel mistreated by the criminal justice system and provided Trump and family members with immunity from tax audits.

The controversial settlement threatened to torpedo Blanche’s nomination until he formally rescinded the fund in writing under pressure from Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The deal reached between the senators and the department unlocked a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which advanced Blanche’s nomination earlier this week

Even after the deal, Blanche faced opposition from some Republican senators concerned with the settlement fund and the tax audit immunity.

Murkowski announced early Friday that she would join Collins in opposing Blanche’s nomination, saying the country needs an attorney general “who will check the worst impulses of this administration.”

Former prosecutor rises as Trump’s defender

A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche rose to public prominence as a lead attorney on Trump’s defense team, including during the Republican’s hush money trial in New York. He also defended Trump against criminal charges in the two federal cases brought by the Biden administration’s Department of Justice — an experience Blanche has said provided him a firsthand look at what he contends was the weaponization of the criminal justice system against Trump.

Blanche entered the Justice Department last year as deputy attorney general under Bondi, overseeing the agency’s day-to-day operations and serving as the public face for high-profile and controversial matters, like the release of millions of investigative files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Democrats have accused Blanche of prioritizing his loyalty to Trump above all else through investigations against Trump foes such as former FBI Director James Comey and a radical reshaping of the department. Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the department has lost thousands of employees through firings, resignations or voluntary departures.

Blanche’s supporters say his experience as a federal prosecutor and the trust he earned from Trump in the courtroom make him better equipped than Bondi to explain to the White House the legal constraints of its demands. Republicans have also touted his efforts to bring down violent crime, tackle illegal immigration and combat violent cartels and drug trafficking.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Judiciary Committee chairman, gave a full-throated endorsement of Blanche ahead of voting, saying he’s led the Justice Department with distinction. “Mr. Blanche is the right choice,” said Grassley, R-Iowa.

It is unclear whether Blanche will fare any better in delivering on Trump’s desire for retribution than Bondi, whom Trump fired amid resistance from judges, grand jurors and the department’s own workforce as prosecutors sought to establish criminal conduct by one Trump foe after another.

Shortly after Blanche took the top post, the Justice Department moved to indict Comey on charges of threatening the 47th president by posting a social media photograph of seashells in the numerical arrangement of “86 47.” Comey’s lawyers are pressing to have the case dismissed, accusing the department of misleading judges, submitting documents containing false statements and withholding key facts.

Blanche has also appointed Joseph diGenova, a former Justice Department prosecutor from the Reagan administration, to oversee a Florida-based investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired over the last decade to undermine Trump. But it remains uncertain whether that probe will result in any criminal charges.

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Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Kevin Freking and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

So did Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The three ex-presidents joined a roster of historians and authors in contributing to the In Pursuit project, a 250th-anniversary series that had each writer produce an essay about a president or first lady.

Though the project was explicitly designed to transcend today’s politics, some of its essays nevertheless reflect anxieties that are flaring in the era of President Donald Trump over the use of power, the health of the democracy and the integrity of the presidency.

The project is being curated by Colleen Shogan, the U.S. archivist who was fired without explanation by Trump last year. She instructed contributors not to be partisan or ideological. “Everybody took those instructions and that guidance very seriously,” she told The Associated Press. The goal was for all Americans to “feel welcome to be able to read these lessons and essays and learn something from them.”

The mission, Shogan said, “is to surface the lessons from the past 250 years of American history, so that we can learn from those lessons, from both our successes and our failures, so we can plan for the present and the future. It’s what has been described as debriefing the American story.”

The essays cover 43 presidents — all but Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Trump — and 30 first ladies. They are being published chronologically and weekly into December.

Trump and Biden were judged too fresh to be appraised by history, a call that may have also set aside passions of the moment.

Without naming Trump, Bush’s essay is difficult to read without thinking of Trump’s reluctance to cede power after his 2020 election defeat and his musings about a third term in defiance of the Constitution’s two-term limit.

Bush hails the heroism of humility

Bush's essay celebrates George Washington, the original “No Kings” guy. Bush, a Republican, hails a man whose legacy only grew larger because he modeled the limits of the presidency for centuries to come.

“Our first president could have remained all-powerful,” Bush writes, “but twice he chose not to. In so doing, he set a standard for all presidents to live up to.” First, Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army, then set the precedent of serving only two presidential terms before that limit was enshrined in the Constitution.

Bush went on: "George Washington’s humility in giving up power willingly remains among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.” Bush's essay, released Presidents Day as the first in the series on Substack, drove heavy engagement.

Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who led U.S. and international forces in the Afghanistan War, sized up a fellow general, Ulysses S. Grant, in another essay that drew much attention for its parallels with today.

History offers lessons on ‘law over loyalty’

McChrystal presents the Union general and post-Civil War president as a leader who displayed “an absolute commitment to principles larger than personal ambition" and who, before his presidency, resisted pressure on military leaders to “align with political factions and be loyal to a person rather than the Constitution.”

The emphasis on personal loyalty resonates in a time when Trump has repeatedly demanded fealty from officials in his administration.

The “temptation to bend institutions toward personal power is not unique to Grant’s era,” McChrystal writes. “Our future still depends on whether our leaders choose law over loyalty.”

This month, in the latest In Pursuit installment, Democrat Clinton writes about Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on that president's drive to expand the universe of “we the people” at the expense of powerful corporate interests, while also emphasizing Roosevelt's exclusionary views on Black and Indigenous people.

The essays frequently address presidents’ failures alongside their accomplishments, a contrast with Trump’s calls for federal cultural institutions to stick to patriotic interpretations of American history.

Presidents, the chief justice and first ladies contribute

Among the In Pursuit contributors are Chief Justice John Roberts (writing about William Howard Taft, the only president who also served on the Supreme Court); Hillary Clinton ( Eleanor Roosevelt ); Michelle Obama ( Jacqueline Kennedy ); GOP operative Karl Rove ( William McKinley ); documentarian Ken Burns ( Franklin D. Roosevelt ); and historian Michael Beschloss ( Lyndon Johnson ). Democrat Barack Obama presents Abraham Lincoln.

The project is being staged by More Perfect, a nonpartisan alliance of dozens of presidential centers along with academics and organizations dedicated to advancing democracy. It is where Shogan now practices her archivist craft that Trump shut down by firing her in February 2025.

She still has not been told why. Nor has Congress apparently been notified of the reason. The law requires Congress to be told but does not specify a deadline. The National Archives is the central repository of federal documents both precious and routine, and its leader has discretion over which records to preserve and display, and how.

“That is a position that used to be a nonpartisan position, much like the Librarian of Congress, the secretary of the Smithsonian,” she said. “And I took that very seriously and acted the entire time when I was archivist in a nonpartisan way.”

The White House did not respond when asked why Trump fired the archivist and whether the administration will tell Congress the reason.

Trump has long begrudged the archives for notifying the Department of Justice of his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office following his first term, though Shogan was not working for the agency then.

Shogan sees hunger for history without a slant

Shogan said she has been overwhelmed with the public response to the series so far and figures that speaks to a hunger for history shorn of partisanship. The essays have received more than 1 million cumulative views on Substack and her podcast of the same name registered 160,000 audio downloads and nearly 64,000 YouTube views at last count. A documentary about the series is scheduled to air on PBS in October.

In the essays, readers learn something new not just about the giants, but about presidents such as Millard Fillmore — “a historic punchline — best remembered, ironically, for being so forgotten,” in the words of his essayist, former New York congressman Steve Israel.

Then there was Franklin Pierce, presented by his essayist as a pro-slavery president and “permanent victim” of Washington's alcohol-soaked culture.

Yale history professor David W. Blight recounts how Pierce won the presidency for the Democrats in 1852 despite vicious trolling by the Whigs. Fielding Mexican War veteran Gen. Winfield Scott in that election, they labeled Pierce, who also served in the war, the “hero of many a well-fought bottle.”

The conglomerate that legendary investor Warren Buffett built reported its second-quarter earnings Saturday morning and disclosed that its cash holdings had shrunk to $365.5 billion from nearly $400 billion at the end of March.

Berkshire's report suggested that it had added more than $21 billion worth of commercial, industrial and other stocks to its portfolio, but the earnings report doesn't name the stocks it bought. That won't be revealed until a separate filing later this month.

Abel took over as CEO in January when Buffett retired after six decades leading the company. But Buffett remains chairman.

CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert said investors should be encouraged by the amount of shares Berkshire's repurchased although Geico's performance was a concern because its underwriting profits fell 45% and lagged far behind other big auto insurers.

“I think there are two key takeaways that should encourage investors: The fact that they bought back shares after not having done things of this magnitude for several years now. And the other positive thing is the ability to produce the 10% operating revenue growth in the quarter,” Seifert said.

Abel announced in March that Berkshire had resumed buying back its own shares for the first time in more than two years, but investors were underwhelmed when the company only repurchased about $234 million worth of Berkshire stock in the first quarter.

The purchases in the second quarter that were disclosed Saturday demonstrate that Berkshire is serious about buybacks, but it is on the low end of the range that investors were expecting. Buffett watchers had been predicting repurchases somewhere between $5 billion and $11 billion based on a filing Buffett made when he announced his annual charitably donations in July.

The company’s standard is that it only repurchases shares when Abel and Buffett believes they are selling for less than they are worth. They do not plan to spend a specific amount like many companies do. Most of Berkshire's repurchases were made in June. They may not be buying much now as the stock just hit a new 52-week high on Thursday.

Berkshire previously repurchased $78 billion worth of its own stock between 2018 and 2024.

In addition to the Google stock Berkshire bought this spring, the Omaha, Nebraska-based company also completed a $6.8 billion acquisition of homebuilder Taylor Morrison but that didn't close until July so it's not reflected in these quarterly figures.

Berkshire's bottom line profit more than doubled to $25.667 billion, or $17,868.44 per Class A share, on a big paper gain in the value of its investments as the company lapped last year's $3.8 billion writedown in the value of its Kraft Foods stake. A year ago Berkshire reported earning $12.37 billion, or $8,600.89 per Class A share,

But Buffett has long urged investors to pay more attention to Berkshire's operating earnings to get a better sense of how its dozens of companies are performing because those numbers exclude investments. By that measure, Berkshire's operating profit grew to $12.983 billion, or $9,038.30 per A share, from $11.16 billion, or $7,759.58 per Class A share.

Berkshire owns several major insurers, including Geico, a collection of big utilities, BNSF railroad and a varied assortment of manufacturing and retail companies, including Precision Castparts and See's Candy.

This time, it was as the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

The Lions are giving Gibbs a three-year extension worth $22.5 million per year.

For Gibbs, the hold-in was not easy, but he is thrilled to get back to work.

“This was extremely stressful,” Gibbs said of the process during training camp. “I just wanted to play ball.”

That tough process is over. Gibbs is ready to show this team he can be a tough, dependable player for the franchise as a “bell cow” type of player for the offense.

“I appreciate (the Lions) having that much trust in me,” Gibbs said. “For me, it’s not something that I’m not used to. I think I’ve always been in that role.”

The Lions coaching staff agrees that Gibbs is built for an expanded role in the offense.

“When you’ve got a guy like Jah, he can be a ‘bell cow’ and touch it 10 times and have 200 total yards,” Lions wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery said. “We just need him to be impactful.”

Gibbs earned a historic contract, but that is not the ultimate goal for the Lions superstar.

“Ultimately, I just want to win a Super Bowl with this team and doing whatever it takes to get that,” Gibbs said.

The measure has been touted as one that would put guardrails around an escalating spending spree in college sports as the industry struggles to adapt to a new model in which teams can pay players.

“College sports is something that needs to be fixed, they have a good solution,” said Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. “We got it teed up for next month."

The bill has been on a roller coaster since it was introduced in late May but quickly failed to gain support of the two biggest conferences: the Big Ten and SEC.

Those conferences signed on and saved it from near death late last month after a flurry of negotiations. But as quickly as it was revived, it faced a reality check in the Senate, where lawmakers from SEC states, including Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., were among its biggest skeptics.

Then, as the bill neared closer to a vote, the Congressional Black Caucus and AFL-CIO also came out against it. Amendments dealing with issues that were never part of the bill also started coming up.

All that, combined with a packed list of votes including on a short-term funding bill and the narrow confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, pushed the PCSA toward the back of the Senate's agenda.

Bill co-sponsor Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said “my colleagues and I have worked hard to end the chaos” that surrounds college sports and predicted the bill would receive support of 60 or more Senators to keep it on path to becoming law.

Co-sponsor, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she was grateful Thune put it on the calendar.

“This bipartisan bill is how we protect women's and Olympic sports,” she said. “I look forward to its passage in September.”

If it passes the Senate, the bill still figures to face a steep climb in the House, which is more narrowly divided and tried for months to bring the less athlete-friendly SCORE Act to a vote and failed repeatedly.

A rethinking of third-party NIL

Among the bill's biggest features would be a redefinition of “third-party” NIL — the name, image, likeness sponsorship deals that most blame for spiraling costs. Under current rules, schools can share revenue of up to $21.3 million among all players across their athletic program.

But there’s an uncapped amount of extra money to be made via these third-party deals, which are often brokered through multimedia rights companies labeled “associated entities” that sell a school’s promotional assets and move some of that cash to the players in exchange for their NIL.

The law would presumably shift some of those arrangements under a newly expanded revenue share of up to $48.8 million while leaving open the possibility of “organic” third-party deals that don’t come from an existing arrangement with the school. A good example: Caitlin Clark got her sponsorship deal with State Farm because she was Caitlin Clark, not because she played for Iowa, which happened to have a deal with State Farm. (The Hawkeyes don't have such a deal.)

Sports leaders hope this new “retention pool” of money curtails runaway costs. The MMR groups aren’t promising it will.

“It’s going to continue to grow,” Christy Hedgpeth, the president Playfly Sports Properties, said in an interview this week with The Associated Press. “We have a lot of data that proves that they don’t have to be nationally recognizable. On an average roster, you’re going to have far more than 20 (players) who are going to have several NIL deals.”

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AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed from Washington.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear skies. Low: 62.

SUNDAY: Mix of sunshine and clouds, a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon & evening. Some storms could be strong. High: 85.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy skies, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low: 66.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy skies, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be strong to severe. High: 85.

After a dry end of the week with the one exception being a few rain showers for some of us, we will increase the chances of showers and thunderstorms as we look ahead into the upcoming weekend.

A cold front will move through the region to start the weekend on Saturday, well majority of the day will be dry, we will look for a few thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and into the early evening hours. High temperatures remain remaining on the warm side, in the mid to upper 80s by Saturday afternoon.

Better chances for showers and thunderstorms roll into the region by the end of the weekend and start of next week. Some of those storms could be strong to possibly severe. The Storm Prediction Center has placed part of the region under a Marginal Risk (1 out of 5) for severe weather on Sunday, then part of the region is under a Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for severe weather to start next week on Monday. Damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall will be the primary threats with any thunderstorm through the end of the weekend and start of next week.

Expect chances for showers and thunderstorms to continue looking ahead into next Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures remain remaining on the reasonable side of things, into the low 80s both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dry weather works into the region, looking ahead into the end of next week. Expect plenty of sunshine for next Thursday, and into the end of the week on Friday. Cooler temperatures will also move into the forecast as well. High temperatures warming into the low 80s by the end of next week.

The lumberjacks had used their trucks to block access to the Quebec border in protest of Canadian loggers who were stealing their jobs by working for less. The blockade, which took place nearly 30 years ago, failed to stop the problem, leading Jackson to decide that he needed to try another way.

“He realized that the only way to change, to change it from the inside, was to be involved,” said Hilton Hafford, a logger who stood with Jackson at the blockade.

That moment set the fifth-generation lumberjack on a path into politics, eventually making him Maine's unlikely Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. He faces longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of a handful of races that could determine control of the chamber in November.

Jackson’s campaign has focused on his ties to Aroostook County, a sprawling, wooded region known as “The County” to Mainers. It's where Jackson, 58, says he watched hard-working people struggle to get ahead, fueling his fight against billionaires and corporations. It also is the place that has elected Jackson to the Legislature while supporting Republican Donald Trump for president.

Defeating Collins, a five-term incumbent who has survived other efforts by Democrats to unseat her, will not be easy.

Jackson is a last-minute replacement for Graham Platner, the initial nominee who exited the race after a sexual assault allegation that he denied. Jackson has accused Collins of looking out for herself instead of Maine and he criticized her vote that paved the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to end the nationwide right to an abortion. Collins, 73, who is also from Aroostook County, has accused Jackson of being too liberal for the state.

Speaking to Maine Democrats while he accepted the party nomination last month, Jackson pointed to his logging background and humble upbringing in a rural county as critical to shaping his desire to fight for the working class.

"What I am is a guy from northern Maine that’s a logger," Jackson said.

The evolution of a liberal lumberjack

Aroostook County, among the poorest in the state, is thinly populated but so large that it could easily contain both Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Tucked in the northern tip of the county is Jackson's hometown of Allagash, where pavement turns into the logging roads and where Jackson went to work as a lumberjack at 19.

Jackson said he worked long, dangerous hours. It was not unusual to wake up at 2:30 a.m. for a 12-hour shift on a job that often did not offer health insurance.

“Everyone in that profession works hard for our families. We did follow the rules. But the harder we worked, the more that companies took from us,” Jackson said during his nomination acceptance speech at a party convention in Bangor. “And further behind we would fall.”

The town saw a steady drop in population as job opportunities dried up. Officials shuttered the school in the mid-1990s, crushing those who remembered the glory days of the school’s prominent basketball team, which won a handful of state championships in the 1970s.

Jackson's disappointment with the logger blockade and other labor demonstrations in the late 1990s further cemented his feeling that something had to change.

He turned his attention to running for state office. Jackson first ran as a Republican but failed to collect enough support in a region that was heavily Democratic at the time. Eventually he won running as an independent and then became a Democrat in 2004. He went on to serve as president of the state Senate.

His political positions evolved over time, particularly on social issues. Early in his political career, Jackson opposed abortion and same-sex marriage. He has since reversed those stances.

“The logging industry is a very, very red industry,” said Louie Pelletier, the brother of Jackson's longtime partner, Lana Pelletier. “That’s the kind of mindset he was in."

Once in office, Jackson started to think he was on the wrong side of those social issues, added Louie Pelletier, who was a logger before taking over his family’s wood shop in Allagash.

“Then he never looked back,” he said.

Allagash is divided on the crucial Senate race

There is just one restaurant in Allagash, while a modest museum alongside the banks of the St. John River displays key moments in the town's history, including a framed photo of Jackson shaking hands with former Democratic President Joe Biden.

As of late July, only one campaign sign for Jackson could be seen from the main road that goes through Allagash. Several Republican gubernatorial and congressional candidates’ signs were prominently displayed.

Taking a break from slinging hamburgers during the weekend lunch rush, Darlene Dumond acknowledged that Allagash remains divided on Jackson. She supports him.

With a population of about 230 people, Allagash is defined by the handful of families who have lived for decades in “Moosetown,” where divisions can fall not only between Republicans and Democrats, but Catholics and Baptists.

Dumond said Collins’ long tenure as senator has been a disappointment even if she helped bring in resources and money to the state. She pointed to Collins’ role in confirming Brett Kavanaugh for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, where he helped overturn the ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide.

“Why would our girl from Aroostook County be the deciding vote for the justice that overthrew Roe v. Wade?” Dumond said, shaking her head.

Collins has said she disagrees with the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, but she does not regret her vote to confirm Kavanaugh.

Jackson has repeatedly argued that he will be a strong Senate candidate because he has kept his legislative seat as a Democrat while the region steadily became more Republican, including when Aroostook County swung for Trump.

Still, Jackson has struggled to compete outside Allagash. He failed to secure the Democratic nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in 2014 and came in third place in the June 9 primary for governor. In 2023, he lost a local race in Allagash — a seat for first selectman position — by six votes.

He has butted heads with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers while in the Legislature, including Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. She ran against Platner for the Senate nomination but dropped out, citing a lack of campaign money. Mills has since declined to endorse Jackson.

Some lawmakers who worked with Jackson have criticized him as having a temper, including once throwing a plastic water bottle on the ground in frustration while disagreeing with a female lawmaker. His inner circle is quick to deny he has anger issues, instead describing him as “passionate” and “competitive.”

Asked by reporters about the confrontations, Jackson said “I wear my heart on my sleeve," saying that he took responsibility for his outburst and apologized to those he had confrontations with at the time.

Hafford, who worked alongside Jackson as a logger, has seen that fiery side but chalked it up to strong feelings. He remembers being in meetings with Jackson in the 1990s where loggers were debating what to do to improve working conditions, and encouraging Jackson not to fly off the handle — even though he wanted to.

“Troy would look over at me and he’d say, ‘Is it time yet?’” Hafford said.

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Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.

When Howard administrators informed Clark — and hundreds of others — that she was permanently unenrolled for missing a tuition fee deadline, she rode a bus from Cleveland, Ohio, to plea with administrators. She left in tears.

“I didn’t just lose my dream. I lost my way out,” said the 17-year-old, who had pinned her hopes on Howard as a peaceful environment and a path to financial freedom after years of growing up in “survival mode.”

Shortly after that, the university notified Clark she was once again welcome to enroll. But as she moved into the Washington, D.C., campus on Thursday, she remained uneasy. She worries that the university might reverse its decision yet again, and hopes Howard will make changes so that other students aren't wrongfully unenrolled.

“I’m definitely not really over that,” Clark said.

While administrators prefer that students, faculty and alumni focus on the school's new academic year, much of the community's attention is still trained on the unenrollment debacle. More than 500 incoming first-year students were unenrolled for missing a July tuition payment deadline, the university said. About 200 students have had their enrollment restored.

It was also reported Friday that Howard unenrolled the students about a month after offering voluntary early retirement buyouts to 600 eligible employees. But Howard University said in a statement that the employee buyouts were unrelated and part of a plan for “long-term financial sustainability.”

For some in the Howard community, the bitter experience has raised questions about the legacy of one of the country's most revered historically Black colleges and universities. Others say such administrative matters won't lessen the career impact a Howard diploma can have.

The loss of HBCU luster

Zy’Aira Blackmon had her heart set on attending Howard, seen as the preeminent Black university in the nation.

But, after her enrollment status was revoked and then reinstated within days, the 18-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, doesn’t feel the same way. The luster Howard once held has been dulled.

“After this situation, most people are going to ignore all the good things Howard has to offer,” said Blackmon, who now will study at Western Michigan University.

When Howard took away 17-year-old Yuisa Davis’ enrollment, her mother hopped on a plane July 28 from the family’s Puerto Rico home to get answers. An administrative official told Karina Polen-Davis and her husband, who was on speakerphone, that she couldn’t answer their questions. Then the official called security.

The Davises say they paid what they thought they owed but the university rescinded enrollment without explanation or recourse.

The school never budged.

“It’s very disheartening just because there’s so many opportunities that’s kind of just been taken from me without me being able to" find a resolution, said Yuisa Davis, who often visited Howard as a child.

Now, Davis is working with The New School in New York City on possible financial aid.

“The difference in how we've been treated has been night and day,” Kenneth Davis said.

Families and university officials blame miscommunication

Interim President Wayne A. I. Frederick told The Associated Press last month that Howard simply followed its payment policy, noting that 2,200 students did meet payment requirements.

Unenrolled students and their parents did not properly read school communications about a July 10 deadline for half their unpaid balance, with financial aid factored in, Frederick said.

Those students who did everything correctly “deserve to show up on Aug. 17, the first day of class and meet their professors in class, have their housing assignments taken care of,” Frederick said. Previously, the school had to scramble to find enough student housing and adjunct professors to fill classrooms.

Some students assert they followed the school’s payment requirements.

Blackmon said her scholarship had not been included in her balance owed. After being unenrolled, she constantly called and emailed the school.

“They reinstated me. They really didn’t explain much,” she added.

Ashley Christopher, an attorney and Howard alumna whose son is a sophomore there, thinks Howard shoulders some blame. She is the founder of HBCU Week, a foundation that awards scholarships, and believes students received “bad information" from the school.

“There’s a way to take accountability for a misstep, and also explain that there’s joint responsibility here,” said Christopher, an attorney. “It is not just the parents. It’s not just the students."

Frederick said that how Howard has handled unenrollment and reenrollment can contribute positively to the school’s image.

“All this does is strengthen our legacy and helps us perform as a high-performing institution on the administrative side, as we have been doing in the past,” he said.

A storied and pree

minent HBCU

The nearly 160-year-old Howard is one of about 100 HBCUs in the U.S., with famous alumni including former Vice President Kamala Harris and actor Chadwick Boseman.

Howard has a 6-year graduation rate of 70% and a retention rate of 90%, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. The school consistently ranks among the most prestigious private HBCUs, including as the top-ranked HBCU by Forbes.

The university costs more than $66,000 each year to attend. The median income for four-year graduates is about $73,000, according to the Education Department. Frederick said Howard has graduated more Black doctors than any other school in the country.

The “scandal,” as Christopher calls the unenrollment issue, likely will not impact Howard’s reputation as “The Mecca” of Black education in the long run.

“Howard has been the blueprint for HBCUs, graduated the best and the brightest — not saying they’re the only one who does that," she said. "When it comes to overall impact of HBCU institutions, Howard stands at the top of that list.”

___ Tang reported from Sunnyvale, California. Williams reported from Detroit.

“Traveling with kids is a whole new world," said Dr. Shannon Thompson, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's, adding that it's important to “enjoy your kiddo on your trip” as much as you can.

Here are some tips and tricks for parents to travel safely with young children — and have fun with them, too.

Look for amenities like cribs and high chairs before you book

Before you decide where to stay, consider your options for baby-proofing.

Check whether items like portable playpens, cribs and high chairs are offered to guests. If you are staying somewhere with stairs, a balcony or a pool, inquire about baby gates; if they are not provided, see if they are available for rent nearby or consider bringing travel-friendly foldable mesh gates. Pack electrical outlet covers and wipes to clean any dirty surfaces your kiddo might touch.

For babies, safe sleeping is still essential on vacation. Children younger than 1 should sleep on their back on a flat, firm surface such as a mattress in a bassinet, crib or playpen with nothing more than a fitted sheet, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization also recommends babies sleep in the parents' room — but not in the parents' bed — for at least the first six months.

You should also consider how you will get to your lodging: Will you fly in and rent a car or take a taxi, or take public transit from the airport? Will you mostly be driving or walking? For parents, these factors can determine whether you want to bring a stroller and a car seat, both of which you can gate check for free when you fly, or rely on using a sling or baby carrier.

Plan for snacks and diaper changes on the plane

“Flying with kids is one of those big, intimidating things,” said Thompson, the pediatrician. “I think the biggest thing to think about is always safety and then of course their comfort.”

While children under two can fly in their parents’ lap, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends securing them in their own safety seat, such as a car seat certified for use on planes. This requires buying a seat for your child.

For long-haul or international flights, ask the airline if they have bassinets available.

Food and drink for babies and toddlers, including breast milk, formula and puree pouches, are considered medically necessary liquids by the Transportation Security Administration. That means they are not subject to the standard 3.4-ounce (100-milliliter) limit for carry-on liquids. The same goes for ice packs used to keep such liquids cool. Let the TSA officer know if you have these in your carry on when you go through security screening.

In addition to snacks, don't forget to carry on diapers, wipes, a portable changing pad and sealable plastic bags for disposal. Bring extra clothes to layer or change in case of accidents or messy spills.

Swallowing and chewing can help with ear pressure, so nursing little ones or giving them a bottle or pacifier can ease discomfort during take-off and landing.

Speak with your pediatrician beforehand if your kiddo is prone to ear infections, and before traveling abroad, ask them what vaccines may be recommended.

Keep kids entertained on and off the plane

For flights with young kids, Christy Slavik, owner of the travel agency Mom Approved Travel, recommends “having little surprises that you can distract them with” — such as sticky mats for travel-sized play doh, suction cup toys and other games that are small and light to pack.

If sightseeing once at your destination, think about ways to make activities more fun and interactive. For art museums, bring notebooks that kids can draw in, or ask them what types of animals they can find in the paintings, Slavik said.

“Kids need a mission. They need games,” she said. “You have to get creative sometimes when you're traveling."

Exposing children to other cultures, foods and languages can also be fun. Some may enjoy picking out snacks at markets, for example, or learning foreign words for their favorite dishes and activities.

There are options for places to stay that are family friendly, with amenities such as pools or games. For those traveling abroad on a budget, many hostels offer private rooms for families so they don’t have to share a dorm-style room with bunk beds. Hotels and hostels provide the opportunity to meet other travelers, including fellow children who can become playmates.

The perks of traveling with extended family

Helping moms actually enjoy their vacation — and relax amid the stress that can come with planning and traveling — is a core goal of Slavik's travel agency.

One way parents can get a break is by planning trips with grandparents or other family members. This helps with babysitting duties, while also allowing loved ones to have special bonding time with kiddos. Just make sure they also have their own down time and aren't wearing themselves out, Slavik said.

“When you bring grandparents to a vacation, you're giving them the opportunity to experience those moments together,” she said.

The freed captives, mostly women and children, were among over 300 kidnap victims freed by Nigerian forces this week.

They were handed over to the authorities by security forces in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, on Friday for medical attention and routine checks, and were anticipating their return home to reunite with their families.

Mary Ishaya recalled days without food, and being asked alongside others to bury other hostages who died in captivity.

The 44-year-old, who had never touched a dead body or buried one before, said: “I still cannot find the right words to describe what has happened to us. We saw death and suffering.”

The Nigerians were abducted on Feb. 3 when jihadi militants stormed the village of Woro, killing over 160 others.

In the hospital where they were receiving medical attention, the freed captives looked emaciated with many laying on the floor, barely able to stand, while others had injuries and emotional scars from their ordeal. Some of the women were informed that their husbands had been among those killed during the February attack.

Some told The Associated Press how they had given up on any hope of returning home. Others recounted people falling sick, being beaten by the rain, and told to hide whenever Nigerian military helicopters flew over the forest hideouts where the captors held them.

Amira Saliu, a nurse who was among those freed, said she helped about 10 pregnant women deliver their babies in the forests.

“I had no choice but to use my bare hands,” she said.

Locals in Woro said they suspected the killings and kidnapping were a punishment for their resistance to the preachings of the jihadis.

Hauwa Saliu recalled how the captors constantly asked the abductees if they had accepted those preachings. Saliu, whose husband was killed in the attack, said she refused to accept them.

“We prayed to God to help us go back home, but it never really crossed our minds that we were going to go back home,” the 30-year-old said.

‘Largest rescue operation ever’

February's attack was one of the deadliest in Nigeria in recent years, and showed how militants who had previously focused their activities in the north are moving south through Africa’s most populous nation, where gangs compete for territory and control of natural resources in villages where they outnumber the country’s overstretched security forces.

The U.S. is providing military support to Nigeria under an agreement it says aims to protect Nigerian Christians, though much of that support is restricted to logistics and intelligence-gathering at the heart of the violence in the north.

Mass kidnappings have come to define Nigeria's security issues, with schoolchildren also targeted.

The victims in the Muslim-majority Woro were rescued this week alongside 145 other victims who had been kidnapped, mostly from the neighboring Niger state.

Local authorities did not say how the captives were rescued from the dense, expansive forest of the Kainji Lake National Park.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu described it as the “largest rescue operation ever” undertaken on a single day, and promised to intensify operations against armed gangs.

Recruitment drive and pay rises for the military

Some of the jihadi militants in Nigeria have presented themselves as an alternative to the government in areas with limited government and security presence.

A key issue in Nigeria is the poor welfare of the country's overstretched and underpaid security forces, which Tinubu has sought to address by recently announcing pay rises and mass recruitment for the military.

The government must find ways to act on intelligence and prevent militant attacks, rather than simply responding to them, according to Sekinat Ojeniyi, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Africa Practice.

“It is time for us to recheck how much our security apparatus does to prevent” attacks, said Ojeniyi.

While they wrapped up many key priorities in the overnight votes, advancing Trump's SAVE America Act was not among them.

Instead, Republican senators who had brought the chamber to a standstill spoke to Trump late in the evening about an alternative plan: They would try again to approve elements of the voting bill as part of a broader GOP budget package to fund the Iran war and replenish the Pentagon when they return to work in September.

“Obviously, with the president at his direction, this is what he wants to do,” said Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, the GOP budget committee chairman, flanked by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., after their phone call with the president.

The sudden wind-down after weeks of Trump ramping up his demands shows just how deeply the president is able to reach into the halls of Congress to set the agenda or disrupt it, the executive directing the affairs of the legislative branch. While Trump is often seen as a de facto speaker of the House, he is invariably trying his hand at mastering the Senate.

Trump had poked and prodded Senate Majority Leader John Thune for weeks to pass the SAVE America Act, a bill that does not have enough support from the Republicans who hold majority power, let alone the Democrats whose votes would be needed to advance it in the Senate.

The president has gone so far as to insist the Senate abandon its filibuster rules to jam the SAVE America Act past the 60-vote threshold that is typically needed to advance legislation in the chamber — something Thune and most senators have no interest in doing.

“John’s trying. He’s trying hard. I really believe that. But if he doesn’t get there, it would be unfortunate,” Trump said in an interview with Punchbowl News that posted Friday.

Trump's pressure couldn't overcome Thune's reality

Thune himself has worked to carefully balance the often unusual demands of the president with the political reality of his slim GOP majority. Republicans are down one vote with the prolonged absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former leader, who said this week he was released from a rehabilitation center and is recovering at home.

“I think everybody’s, for the most part, on the same page,” Thune, R-S.D., said about the trio's call with Trump, adding that eventually the Senate would have to tackle another budget bill.

During a daylong session that dragged for nearly 20 hours, Thune successfully powered through a lengthy list of other Trump priorities. Senators confirmed the president's pick of Todd Blanche as the attorney general, passed a sweeping Russian sanctions package to aid Ukraine, and approved a bipartisan package to fund the government into December in an early step toward avoiding a government shutdown.

The Republicans also tried to push forward a slimmer voting bill that would require people to show IDs before casting ballots for federal elections. It failed to advance, largely on a party-line vote with Democrats opposed.

But the failure to make progress on the SAVE America Act had erupted as an online crusade for Trump's allies in Congress, amplified by activists urging them on.

Led by Lee, a growing group of senators was refusing to adjourn for the summer break without passing Trump's priority voting bill.

At dinnertime, Thune gathered all the Republican senators for a meeting as the standoff deepened at the Capitol. There was no immediate way forward for the SAVE America Act or the broader budget bill. Thune encouraged the trio of senators to talk to the president, which they did, before regrouping back at Thune's office.

"We had about a two-hour conference meeting trying to figure out, you know, what we need to do to, to come to an agreement, to accomplish what the president wanted,” Johnson said. “Then we had discussion with the president, he agrees.”

Lee acknowledged he was disappointed by the outcome, but said he understood the political reality of the situation.

“We are not in a position right now where we have the wherewithal to pass it,” Lee told reporters at the Capitol, after the three senators emerged from Thune's office following their call with Trump.

Near daybreak, when the Senate did call for the vote to adjourn, Lee and others objected with hearty nos.

On the simple voice vote, the ayes had it, and the motion to adjourn was adopted.

Maniya Miller was arraigned in 37th District Court in Center Line on Friday (Aug. 7).

She faces three felony charges: larceny in a building, falsifying medical records and illegal possession of a controlled substance.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, according to the attorney general’s office.

The allegations stem from an incident at a Centerline nursing home in 2024.

Officials allege Miller took controlled substances belonging to a patient and falsified medical records in an attempt to conceal the alleged theft.

The facility terminated Miller’s employment after the allegations surfaced and contacted law enforcement and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, according to the attorney general’s office.

Miller was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

She is scheduled to appear Aug. 19 for a probable cause conference.

The case is being handled by the Michigan Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Gibbs returned to the practice field this week after agreeing to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid running back.

Montgomery, who has worked with Gibbs since the Alabama product entered the league in 2023, said the 24-year-old has consistently embraced the expectations that came with being a first-round pick.

“He earned it,” Montgomery said. “He has come in from day one and did everything we asked him to do.”

From Alabama to NFL standout

Montgomery compared Gibbs’ journey to a scene from the movie “Next Friday,” joking that Gibbs was more like Willie Jones, who earned his success, than someone who simply got lucky like his brother Uncle Elroy.

Montgomery pointed to Gibbs’ development as a pass protector, route runner and overall offensive player as evidence of how far he has come since joining the Lions.

“He is what a pro should be,” Montgomery said.

Gibbs rushed for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while adding 517 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 52 receptions.

With the departure of veteran running back David Montgomery, the Lions are expected to lean even more heavily on Gibbs in 2026.

Redefining ‘bell cow’

Scottie said a heavier workload does not necessarily mean a traditional one.

“When you got a guy like J, you can be a bell cow and touch it 10 times and have 200 total yards, and that’s still a bell cow,” Scottie said.

Gibbs’ versatility gives Detroit several ways to utilize him.

Scottie said the running back can line up in the backfield, as a receiver or in the slot, allowing him to remain a major part of the offense without simply accumulating a large number of carries.

“He can be a bell cow on third down without turning around and handing it to him,” Scottie said.

Growth as a leader

Scottie also highlighted Gibbs’ growth in understanding defenses and protections.

Early in his career, Gibbs had to adjust to the complexity of NFL pass protection schemes, but he has progressed to the point where he can recognize assignments quickly and even help younger teammates.

That development has helped Gibbs emerge as a leader in Detroit’s offense.

“He’s coaching our guys that a lot of them are older than him,” Scottie said. “So, I think that’s the part that we’re really, really excited about, his growth as a leader.”

Scottie said Gibbs is now approaching a stage of his career similar to the leadership growth the Lions have seen from other young players.

“Now it’s time for him to take that step,” Scottie said.

Camp competition, receiving corps development

While Gibbs has received much of the attention following his new deal, Scottie said Detroit’s offense has made significant progress throughout training camp.

The Lions have emphasized competition and physicality during the opening weeks of camp, and Montgomery said the second week is when players begin separating themselves mentally and physically.

“We’re starting to see that unfold,” Scottie said.

Scottie also praised offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for his work installing the offense and making sure players and coaches understand their roles.

“He is a great, great communicator,” Scottie said.

The Lions are also counting on continued growth from their receiving corps.

Scottie said Jameson Williams has worked extensively on improving his ability to make contested catches.

The coaching staff has focused on encouraging Williams to attack passes farther away from his body rather than allowing them to reach him before making the catch.

Scottie said Williams has also improved his body positioning and ability to create contact at the catch point.

For rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa, Montgomery said the focus has been on developing separation through both quickness and physicality.

Goff, St. Brown chemistry a constant

The Lions’ offensive success will also depend on continued chemistry between quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Scottie said their consistency is rooted in routine, preparation and an increasingly instinctive understanding of each other.

Their experience together has created situations where the two can make adjustments during plays without having to communicate verbally, Scottie said.

“We’re trying to make everything we do look exactly the same until it’s not,” Scottie said.

Work continues despite new contract

As training camp continues, Scottie said the Lions still have plenty of work ahead of them.

But he believes the competition and development taking place now are laying the foundation for the regular season.

For Gibbs, that work comes with a new contract and heightened expectations.

Scottie’s message is simple: The money has changed, but the work has not.

“His financial situation has changed,” Scottie said, “but the person, what it’s going to take for us to get to where we need to get to, none of that has changed.”

Family and friends said 19-year-old Dashaun Green and 18-year-old Teris King were shot and killed inside the home on Coolidge Highway, just south of Nine Mile, after “dozens of shots” were fired from outside shortly before 5 a.m.

Oak Park police said they were dispatched to the home at approximately 4:48 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. One neighbor told Local 4 it sounded like a semi-automatic weapon, reportedly hearing “40 to 50 shots.”

Devastated family members struggled to comprehend the loss of Green, who was just two weeks away from going back to college, and King, who had just graduated high school. Family members were holding hands, crying, and hugging at the scene.

“Put them guns down,” Dashaun Green’s father, Davains Green, said. “You guys took my world — not just me, the other girl’s mother — the other girl that got shot. You guys took a lot.”

According to Green and family friends, the home had been rented for a birthday party and pajama party.

One of the teens in attendance told Local 4 that about 15 young people were there — many of them teenagers. Family and friends said a group of people who were not invited arrived at the gathering and were “politely asked to leave.”

“They said they left,” Green said, after speaking with a teen who found his son’s body. “About 4-something in the morning, he said he heard gunshots.”

By that time, a 16-year-old, who escaped the home wearing only his socks, told Local 4 that most of the partygoers were asleep when the shooting began. Friends of Green and King said the two victims “didn’t have a chance.”

“My son didn’t even know the guys who were asked to leave,” Green said. “He was in the back where he was found dead.”

Investigators said the shooting scene stretched well beyond the home itself, with evidence markers extending along Coolidge Highway as Oak Park Police and the Oakland County Crime Scene Analysis Unit processed the area.

Oak Park Police and Fire Chief Steve Cooper said investigators are working around the clock to determine exactly what happened and identify those responsible. No arrests had been made as of Monday evening.

“With all the promise that the young adults… had, it’s just a terrible tragedy,” Cooper said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to find out who is responsible for this.”

“If you got any remorse or heart, just like you picked them guns up and came here, be a man. You know what to do,” Green said, addressing those who pulled the trigger.

“He was a very handsome young man, very well-mannered, very respectful,” another family member said of Dashaun Green. “He was going to be somebody. He was finding his way in life. He was robbed, and none of this is fair. I hope he gets the justice he deserves. Two young lives taken for no reason is heartbreaking. Our family is heartbroken by this senseless act.”

“This senseless act of violence and disregard for human life will not be tolerated in our community,” said City Manager Erik Tungate. “We are dedicating every available resource to this investigation and are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.“

Oak Park police said the investigation remains active.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Oak Park Public Safety at 248-691-7520 or call 911 in an emergency.

Jason Showers, 45, was charged with one count of placing explosives near a property, one count of possession of bombs with unlawful intent, two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of felony firearm, and one count of habitual offender - fourth offense notice.

Megan Showers, 38, was charged with one count of placing explosives near a property and possession of bombs with unlawful intent.

On Aug. 3, Megan Showers allegedly lit the explosive device Jason Showers was reportedly holding prior to him throwing it in their 72-year-old neighbor’s yard.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said the explosive device, described as a red, cylindrical device with the words “BYE BYE,” was extinguished by the neighbor.

Authorities executed a search warrant at the Showers’ home and found firearms, ammunition, and materials for making explosive devices.

Jason Showers’ bond was set at $100,000, cash-only. He is required to wear a steel cuff GPS tether upon release and was ordered not to contact the victim or his wife and cannot return to his home due to the proximity of the victim.

Megan Showers’ bond was set at $20,000 with a 10% option. She is required to wear a GPS tether upon release and was ordered not to contact her husband and the victim. She is allowed to return home after release.

Both are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. for a probable cause conference.

Gibbs returned to practice on Friday (Aug. 7) after a stressful training camp hold-in, saying that he was relieved to be back with his teammates and coaches.

“The process was extremely stressful because I just wanted to play ball,” Gibbs said. “I missed being out there with my teammates and coaches.”

The Lions recently agreed to a three-year contract extension with Gibbs worth $22.5 million per year, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

Here y'all go pic.twitter.com/YfUIv6fBUh

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 7, 2026

For Gibbs, the deal is significant, but it is not the ultimate goal.

“Ultimately, I just want to win a Super Bowl with this team and doing anything it takes to get that,” Gibbs said.

--> Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs signs record $67.5M deal, becomes highest-paid running back in NFL history

The 24-year-old Gibbs is entering his third NFL season and is expected to take on an even larger role in Detroit’s offense.

Gibbs said he appreciates the confidence the Lions have shown in him, but he is comfortable with the responsibility.

“I think I’ve always been in that role till I came here,” Gibbs said. “And yeah, I’m ready for it.”

Gibbs also pointed to his development as a pass protector and his improved understanding of opposing defenses as areas where he has grown since entering the league.

“The physical is pretty much all there,” Gibbs said. “It’s just the mental part.”

That development could allow the Lions to use Gibbs as an every-down back capable of running, catching passes and protecting quarterback Jared Goff.

Gibbs said he hopes his contract can also help change the perception of the running back position and create opportunities for younger players.

“We want to open the gates for the younger generation and show them the pathway of being able to do as such,” Gibbs said, citing the importance of being able to contribute in every phase of the offense.

Gibbs said several prominent NFL running backs, including Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, James Cook, De’Von Achane and David Montgomery, reached out to congratulate him on the new deal.

He also expressed his appreciation for Detroit, saying his view of the city changed after joining the Lions.

“Before I got here, everything you hear about Detroit is negative,” Gibbs said. “And since I’ve been here, all I can say is positive things. The people, there’s a lot of good food here, the culture, I love being here.”

Gibbs said he is excited to remain in Detroit for the next several seasons.

The new contract and expanded role come with heightened expectations, but Gibbs said his focus remains on football.

“I knew what I could do, and I was confident in myself that I was going to do what I always do,” he said.

Now that the contract negotiations are behind him, Gibbs can return his attention to the Lions’ pursuit of their ultimate goal.

A Super Bowl.

Tell a friend to tell a friend pic.twitter.com/uK0hDVyVBx

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 7, 2026

Republican U.S. Rep. John James and Democrat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are running for Michigan’s governor.

Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again.

Local 4’s Ty Steele spoke with Benson and James before the primary election and asked them what Michigan voters are most concerned about, including education, affordability, economic growth, public safety and data centers.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

You can watch the full interviews below:

Jocelyn Benson (D)

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson has served as Michigan’s Secretary of State since 2018.

Benson framed her campaign around lowering costs, expanding economic opportunity and protecting individual rights. She pledged to work with lawmakers from both parties while promising to challenge those she said stand in the way of her agenda.

When she accepted her nomination on primary election night, she highlighted her background as the daughter of public school teachers, the wife of a combat veteran and the mother of a 10-year-old son.

She said those experiences shape her priorities on education, health care, housing affordability and child care.

Benson called for expanding affordable housing, improving access to health care, investing in public education and building what she described as a government that “saves us time, saves us money and makes our life easier.”

She also emphasized protecting abortion rights and voting rights, issues that have been central to her tenure as secretary of state.

John James (R)

Republican gubernatorial candidate John James has represented Michigan’s 10th Congressional District since 2023. He also served in the U.S. Army for eight years as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer.

If elected, he would be the first Black governor of Michigan.

James’ campaign focuses on economic issues, education, infrastructure and public safety.

When he accepted his nomination on primary election night, he criticized Michigan’s Democratic leadership, arguing that families are struggling with high costs, including energy prices, and that the state needs a change in direction.

James pointed to concerns about unemployment, school performance, infrastructure and population loss as issues he said would shape the November election.

“Michigan does not lack talent. We do not lack resources,” James said. “But Michigan lacks proven, tested leadership where it matters the most.”

He pledged to pursue policies including lowering taxes, reducing energy costs, improving schools, supporting law enforcement and investing in roads, bridges and infrastructure.

Anthony Patterson entered the pleas on Thursday (Aug. 6) during a pretrial hearing.

The cases also include restitution for the victims, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The first case involved an armed robbery Dec. 4, 2025, at a Wendy’s restaurant on Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township.

Prosecutors said three employees were robbed and the restaurant manager was forced to surrender money from a safe.

Patterson pleaded no contest to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of felony firearm, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and a third-offense habitual offender notice.

The second case involved a Dec. 5, 2025, robbery at Starlight Nails in Eastpointe.

Prosecutors said Patterson displayed a handgun and took money from employees and customers, as well as a driver’s license and debit card.

He pleaded no contest to four counts of armed robbery, four counts of felony firearm, and a third-offense habitual offender notice.

The third case involved an armed robbery Dec. 12, 2025, at an Advance America location on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores.

Prosecutors said Patterson took money from cash drawers and a cash box.

Patterson pleaded no contest to two counts of armed robbery, one count of felonious assault, three counts of felony firearm, and a third-offense habitual offender notice.

He is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. Sept. 16, 2026.

The late-summer action on a funding fix is unusual. Normally, Congress waits until the final days or hours of a funding deadline to pass short-term patches, but this time senators acted nearly two months before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The 90-6 vote showed lawmakers are still smarting from the two historic shutdowns that occurred this past year and want to avoid another before voters go to the polls.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune wanted the funding dealt with before senators went home for the next five weeks to focus on their reelection campaigns and other matters. It got caught up with other issues that pushed votes into the night, but the bill had broad bipartisan support. The House will also have to approve the measure when members return from their August recess before it can go to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

The bill generally funds the federal government at current levels though Dec. 11, but includes a variety of exceptions that senators negotiated with the White House.

Democrats secured language to ensure no money could be transferred to the Border Patrol. They also rejected the White House's request of $1 billion for early work on a new “Trump-class” battleship that the administration announced on Dec. 22.

“The only person who wants these golden ships is Donald Trump so he can slap his name on them,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.

Hemp provision became a point of contention

The bill also includes language delaying a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products. That one-month delay prompted outrage from some Senate Republicans who say that too many such products are falling into the hands of often unsuspecting children. The packaging of the products often relies on bright colors and intentionally mimics popular snack brands to attract consumers.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said that since 2017 there has been nearly a 10-fold increase in cannabis-related emergency room visits by minors in his home state.

“This is a public health crisis that deserves this Senate’s immediate attention,” Budd said. “Our children should never be the testing ground for an industry willing to exploit a loophole in federal law for profit.”

But the hemp industry said the delay buys time for Congress to craft legislation that protects hemp farmers and businesses while also putting in place safeguards to protect children.

Trump himself has called Budd to discuss the issue, though the president did not specifically ask the senator to drop his effort, Budd’s spokesman said.

“Senator Budd had a friendly phone call with President Trump discussing the legislative efforts regarding THC,” said spokesman Christian McMullen. He said the senator outlined his concerns about “any delay to closing the hemp loophole.”

Budd tried to strip the hemp delay from the bill, but the Senate turned aside his effort.

The bill delays a Trump administration rule on grants

Democratic lawmakers, along with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also got language in the bill that would block, for the duration of the funding patch, new regulations on federal grants. The regulations would require a senior political appointee to review grants before they are awarded to ensure, among other things, that they advance the president's policy priorities. Democrats worry it's an effort to kill grants destined for Democratic-leaning states.

“They are not interested in making our tax dollars work better — they just want them to work for Donald Trump,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The White House Office of Management and Budget says its effort is about improving accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted or misused. The issue is sure to be a topic of future negotiations on a full-year spending measure.

But Collins said the vast majority of the nearly 500,000 people and groups weighing in on the rule are opposed to it.

“I don't think in my time that I've been privileged to serve in the Senate that I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments," Collins said.

The 14-year-old shooter took his own life at the school, officials said.

Five school staff members, including teachers and administrators, died in the shooting around 10 a.m. at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province northwest of Bangkok, Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said at the scene.

The boy also killed his grandparents at the home he shared with them prior to the school shooting, Polapee said.

Bangyai Hospital, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the school, said 23 people were wounded, of whom 10 were in critical condition, with most suffering gunshot wounds. Earlier reports gave conflicting casualty numbers.

A witness said students hid inside a classroom while they heard gunshots from another building before police officers knocked on the door and cleared a way for them to leave the building.

Amporn Niamfuang, who owns a restaurant 50 meters (160 feet) from the school, said there was the sound of a single gunshot and then a pause.

“And then there were multiple continuous shots,” Amporn said, recalling the narrow road outside the restaurant filling with fleeing students. “Students were running scared and pouring onto the street. Young girls were holding each other’s hands and crying. I went inside to hide.”

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking after touring the school, confirmed reports that the shooter was 14 and had killed himself. He said the student had shown signs of stress connected to school.

The gun, described by police as small and compact, was legally registered to his grandfather, he said.

About an hour after the shooting, people stood outside comforting one another as police and first responders walked around the co-educational state school, which has an enrollment of about 3,000 students ranging from 12 to 18 years old.

All classes will be suspended between Aug. 10 and Aug. 14 and school staff have been instructed to work from home during that time, the school said.

Police find grandparents dead at family home

After the shooting, police went to his home and found both grandparents dead of apparent gunshot wounds, regional police Commander Wattana Yeejeen said.

The student appeared to have shot them before attending school as normal. He waited until classes started and began shooting inside his classroom before walking out and firing more shots, Police spokesperson Trairong Piwpan said.

The boy fired more than 20 shots and police found he still had 30 rounds after shooting himself, he said.

Several family members, including his uncle and sisters of the grandfather who were at the family home while police investigated, said he usually kept to himself and was a good student.

The family members said they were unaware of any troubles he faced at home or school.

Thailand has high rate of gun owners

Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, second only to Pakistan and far surpassing its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Data collected in 2017 by the groups Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org in their last extensive international study found civilian gun ownership in Thailand was about 15.1 guns per 100 people, compared with less than one per 100 in neighboring Malaysia.

Thailand had 3.49 deaths by firearms per 100,000 people, according to 2023 statistics published by World Population Review. That puts it well behind parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, but relatively high in Asia. Only the Philippines is higher in Southeast Asia.

In February, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage in a two-hour attack that killed one person and injured two others.

A 14-year-old boy was accused of a 2023 shooting at a major Bangkok shopping mall.

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Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok and Kaweewit Kaewjinda in Nonthaburi, Thailand, contributed to this report.

The event on the Bir-Hakeim Bridge has also exposed the fragility of that ambition: Organizers suspended training Thursday when traces of hydrocarbons were detected upstream. By Friday, the French Swimming Federation said the affected area had been treated, allowing athletes to return to the water and the event to proceed as planned.

High diving concludes Saturday with the final two rounds and medal events, while the broader European Aquatics Championships run through Aug. 16.

“There are things that are within our control, and there are uncertainties that are inevitably linked to any outdoor activity,” said Maxime Sauvage, Paris deputy mayor in charge of sports, sports facilities and equal access to sport.

Among the things within the city’s control, he said, are the massive investments made before the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to make the river safe for swimming, from work to prevent sewage from flowing directly into the Seine to improvements in stormwater management.

“There is always a small risk, but that is also part of what makes outdoor events special,” Sauvage said. “When they work, it is magical.”

Hundreds of people gathered along the riverbanks Friday to watch the divers. Some stopped during their lunch break, while others stumbled across the competition by chance.

Among them was Rebecca Kapogiannis, a 45-year-old visitor from London, Ontario, who was visiting Paris with her daughter to celebrate her graduation. Her daughter had even packed a bathing suit in case she got the chance to swim in the Seine.

“We just headed down to the (Eiffel) Tower today and thought we would walk along the Seine and stumbled upon this and thought it was a really cool activity to watch,” she told The Associated Press.

“I was not expecting a competition to take place in the Seine, but I think it’s such a cool use of this water that runs right through the city.”

For Cynthia Matz, who was visiting Paris with her husband, Sean, the setting itself was part of the draw. She said they probably would not have sought out the competition had it been held inside an aquatics center.

“Anybody can go. I don’t have to know anything about diving. I can just say, ‘This is really cool to see,’” Matz said.

“Having it out in public, people will just stop and go, ‘Huh, what’s going on?’ and stop and spend some time and enjoy it.”

That ability to stumble across elite sport in the middle of the city reflects a broader transformation Paris officials have been pushing for years: turning the Seine from a river associated largely with commerce, transport and tourism into a place where people can also swim, play and compete.

The 38th European Aquatics Championships, from July 31 to Aug. 16, mark the centenary of the inaugural championships, held in Budapest in 1926. For Paris, they are a return of another kind: The French capital last hosted the event in 1931.

More than 1,000 athletes are competing across five disciplines: swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open-water swimming and high diving.

The Seine is hosting both open-water swimming and high diving, placing the river back at the center of a major international sporting event two years after the Paris Olympics.

Swimming in the Seine was officially banned in 1923 amid pollution and the dangers of river traffic. Public swimming returned only in 2025, after Paris and its partners mobilized 1.4 billion euros to make the river swimmable, an effort accelerated by the Olympics.

For many French people, former President Jacques Chirac’s 1988 pledge, when he was mayor of Paris, to make the Seine clean enough for swimming again seemed like a distant dream.

But since the 2024 Olympics, images of athletes competing — and now residents swimming — in the river have become almost familiar.

Around 70,000 people used the city’s designated Seine swimming areas in July, according to Paris City Hall, compared with nearly 100,000 during the entire summer last year, suggesting growing public interest in reclaiming the river for recreation.

Bringing sport into daily Parisian life has been an objective across successive city administrations. Under Emmanuel Grégoire, elected mayor in March, Sauvage said the mission is to “make the entire city increasingly favorable to physical activity and sport.”

“For decades, the Seine was limited to economic purposes, tourism with sightseeing boats, and logistics with ships loading and unloading goods in Paris,” Sauvage said. “It was a river with high levels of pollution that also had a significant impact on its biodiversity.”

Now, he says, the aim is to add another identity to the river without erasing the others.

“Paris is not just a postcard image, it is also a magnificent sporting venue,” Sauvage said. “It is a city that people come to visit, but it is also a city to be experienced by bike, through running, through sport, through play and through swimming.”

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Associated Press writer Thomas Adamson in Paris contributed

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their season-high seventh game in a row in a stunning collapse on Friday night after the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 4-3 win when rookie Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run, walk-off homer against closer Edwin Diaz.

“A loss is a loss but to get walked off never feels good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We didn't play a clean game, a great game, on either side of the baseball, but we did enough to put ourselves in position to win a game.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't finish it.”

It was another rough outing for Diaz, who has an 11.00 ERA over 11 outings this season. The 32-year-old is a three-time All-Star, but hasn't been able to help the Dodgers much after signing a $69 million, three-year deal during the offseason.

Waldschmidt connected on Diaz's hanging slider, hitting it into the left-center field seats for his second career homer and first big league walk-off.

“It's the slider,” Diaz said. “The fastball was great today, but I missed the slider right in the middle. I think I was trying to be perfect with the pitch and I'm missing right in the middle — I've got to be better. I'm a big league pitcher so I've got to make pitches.”

The Dodgers were swept by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs coming into Friday night's game. They still have a comfortable lead in the NL West — 7 1/2 games in front of the Diamondbacks — despite a 10-16 record since July 5.

Roberts acknowledged that Diaz has been struggling since his return from the injured list on July 29, but the manager wasn't necessarily ready to try a new closer. His reasoning was simple: there's no clear-cut alternative.

“Honestly, you've got to look at the options,” Roberts said. “The way some of these guys are throwing, they're not throwing great, either."

The Dodgers still look like a formidable team, particularly after adding ace left-hander Tarik Skubal in a trade-deadline deal with the Detroit Tigers last week. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is also slated to return on Tuesday after missing most of the season with injuries.

And the lineup still has plenty of star power with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Kyle Tucker.

Roberts said before Friday's game that the remedy for the recent troubles was simple.

“We've just got to play better,” Roberts said. “I don't think the standings — I mean they're important, they matter — but I just feel like with the talent we have, we've just got to play good baseball and it'll take care of itself. It always does.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at about 162 kilometers per hour (101 mph). It will bring heavy rains, creating a risk of severe flooding as well as landslides and is expected to hit Zhejiang province and northern parts of neighboring Fujian province late Sunday. Shanghai is also in the path of the storm.

Forecasters predicted that areas could see 200-400 mm (7.9–15.7 inches) of rainfall over the next few days.

National authorities declared a level III emergency response, the second lowest level.

Many tourist destinations in Zhejiang are shut Saturday and Sunday, as well as all water-based activities, including ferries and cruises.

Authorities in the city of Ningbo, one of the province's largest, ordered schools and other educational facilities shut this weekend and all water-related activities to halt. Some 800 ships are docked at the port.

New York improved to 2-8 in extra-inning games, halting an eight-game winning streak overall for the NL East leaders.

Yankees left-hander Max Fried pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his first outing against his former team, but Tyler Mahle matched him with six shutout innings in his Atlanta debut.

Austin Riley homered in the eighth and Matt Olson went deep in the ninth to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. With the Yankees down to their final out, slumping Austin Wells doubled home a run off All-Star closer Raisel Iglesias.

Amed Rosario walked before Rice singled on a 1-0 changeup.

Heliot Ramos was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Dylan Dodd entered and retired Luis García Jr. on a groundout to send the game to extra innings.

New York's rally began when rookie George Lombard Jr. reached on an infield single with one out and advanced to third on Iglesias' throwing error.

David Bednar (5-3) pitched a scoreless 10th, helped by Lombard's off-balance throw from shortstop on Sean Murphy’s grounder and García's over-the-shoulder catch at first base on Ronald Acuña Jr.'s popup to end the inning.

With one out in the bottom half, rookie Spencer Jones was intentionally walked and Lombard worked a walk from Tyler Kinley (6-5) that loaded the bases. García, the automatic runner, scored easily on McMahon's sac fly to deep right field on a full-count pitch as the Yankees improved to 5-42 when trailing through eight innings.

The start was delayed by heavy rain and thunderstorms for 1 hour, 55 minutes.

It was the eighth time in 10 games a Yankees starter permitted no more than one run.

Fried spent his first eight major league seasons with the Braves before leaving as a free agent to sign a $218 million, eight-year contract with New York in December 2024.

Up next

In a marquee matchup of Cy Young Award winners, Atlanta LHP Chris Sale (12-6, 2.08 ERA) pitches Saturday for the first time since July 29 when he faces New York RHP Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.42) on Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Waldschmidt connected on a slider, hitting a shot to left center that barely cleared the wall. Diaz walked Max Kepler to start the ninth before striking out Tim Tawa, but Waldschmidt followed with the biggest hit of his young career.

Diaz — a three-time All-Star — has given up 11 earned runs in nine innings this season.

The Dodgers trailed 2-0 early in the game but rallied. Andy Pages' solo homer to lead off the eighth gave them a 3-2 lead.

D-backs right-hander Merrill Kelly took a no-hitter into the sixth before Tommy Edman led off with an infield single. Freddie Freeman brought home a run later in the inning on a fielder's choice, cutting Arizona's lead to 2-1, and Kelly had to leave the game with cramping in his right leg.

The Dodgers tied it at 2 in the seventh on Edman's RBI single and had the bases loaded before Shohei Ohtani grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Roki Sasaki gave up two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

Nolan Arenado gave the D-backs a 1-0 lead in the second with a solo homer that barely cleared the left field fence and the glove of Teoscar Hernandez. It was Arenado's 17th homer of the season.

In the third, Corbin Carroll robbed Edman of a ying homer, leaping high above the right field fence to make the grab.

Up next

The Diamondbacks were set to start RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.66 ERA) vs. Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.76) on Saturday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company $567 million in his ruling Thursday, but he also prescribed steps to clean up what he described as its byproducts. He ordered new safety measures, including a time limit of 90 hours per month for users under 18, AI chatbot restrictions, and mandatory warnings on the platforms.

How easily those features can be implemented, and how effective they could be at protecting young users from mental health harms, are unresolved questions. They also would apply only to children in New Mexico, Meta has no deadline to introduce them, and the company has said it will appeal the ruling.

But the judge’s order showed a possible path forward for other court fights around the country as Meta faces mounting legal, regulatory and public pressure to do more to protect young people.

The ruling came in the second phase of a trial in a lawsuit the state of New Mexico filed against the social media giant. The new financial penalty is in addition to the $375 million in civil penalties that jurors ordered against Meta in March after determining the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.

Meta said in a statement Thursday that it works to keep people safe on its platforms and has been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content.

“We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts,” the company said.

Implementation of court-ordered measures poses challenges

Many of the changes ordered by Biedscheid hinge on strong age-verification measures. The ruling says Meta must improve its age assurance models and tools in New Mexico and proactively request proof of age for users they know or estimate to be under 13.

What that proof of age could look like, however, is unclear.

Age verification “can be done well in a privacy-protective way, but it is not easy,” said Peter Ormerod, an associate professor of law at Villanova University.

Federal children’s privacy laws prevent Meta from applying age-verification tools to children under 13. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes.

Identifying which users are in New Mexico, and subject to the court-ordered protections, could also pose a challenge. Ormerod said Meta could likely check if a user is accessing the platform from an IP address associated with New Mexico, a solution “that works reasonably well enough.”

Meta has several safety tools already in place. Instagram Teen Accounts, for one, have built-in protections to limit who can contact teens and what content they can see, and give parents the ability to set time limits.

Brooke Istook, the president and chief strategy officer at the advocacy organization Heat Initiative, said she was glad to see the judge's reforms will be court-supervised.

“Now, we will have someone in an official capacity checking the homework of these companies,” she said. “The fact that we have the court now involved, they’re able to evaluate how they’re implemented, whether or not they’re effective and whether or not they are actually working to keep kids safe online.”

Experts say the ruling leaves out some of the most harmful features

Meta's critics say some of the most recognizable and potentially harmful aspects of Instagram and Facebook's designs are untouched by the ruling.

Features like autoplay, infinite scroll and algorithmic content recommendations have been the prime targets of legal arguments that social media platforms are designed to be addictive. But Biedscheid wrote in his ruling that these features are used across the social media industry on other platforms, so restricting Meta's features but not those of its competitors would harm the company.

That was disappointing to see for Sophia Choukas-Bradley, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.

“Those design features have played a very important role in what leads to problematic use of social media by adolescents and, in turn, mental health problems,” Choukas-Bradley said.

Still, Choukas-Bradley said she was in favor of several safety measures in the ruling, especially one that orders the “like counts” on the apps be hidden by default on minors' accounts, a setting that could only be overridden by a parent or guardian. She also supports a measure that would create a stronger separation between children and “unconnected” adults on the platforms. Meta would not be able to recommend a child's account to an adult's account, and adults who are not “friends” or followers of a minor's account would be barred from messaging the child.

“There are just too many documented cases of sextortion, sexploitation and sex trafficking that start in the online context for us to ignore this any longer,” Choukas-Bradley said.

It is unclear which features on social media platforms are most harmful for children's mental health, said Sonia Livingstone, a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science. There is ample evidence, however, that more vulnerable children are more susceptible to the companies' design features, she said.

“Tested one by one, the evidence for each design feature will be weaker, as it is the combination of features that really will make the difference for children’s outcomes,” said Livingstone, who leads the Digital Futures for Children research center.

Some hope New Mexico's actions lead to further regulations

Because the measures in the judge's order are specific to users in New Mexico, experts say piecemeal rulings and inconsistent legislation at the state level could create a new crop of issues.

“It really needs to be uniform at the congressional level, it causes all sorts of problems,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers. “It just doesn’t make sense in today’s era of technology.”

Some advocates say they hope similar rulings in other states could stir action in Congress, and spur new efforts to pass federal legislation.

For parents in New Mexico, the ruling could change the conversations with their teens about social media use. Heather Statum, an Albuquerque mother of a 13-year-old girl, says her daughter is constantly requesting access to various social media platforms.

Statum has heard horror-stories about predators lurking on Instagram or Snapchat. She's also aware that among her daughter’s peers, discussions of suicide and other mental health issues are prominent online and worries about her daughter being exposed to disturbing content.

“The stuff (social media companies) have in place to protect them, I don’t think any of it actually works,” Statum said. “It does cause major problems between us because she thinks that I’m too strict.”

Statum says the platform-level changes from the ruling could promote safe usage, but said it will be hard to balance safety with freedom. She believes educating kids on dangers is the best path forward.

A Supreme Court decision in June struck down a previous attempt at restricting birthright citizenship, but Thursday’s orders were made with “adjustments” keeping the decision in mind, President Donald Trump said.

Still, some of the restrictions announced by the White House are expected to face legal challenges.

The 14th Amendment, which makes a citizen of anyone born in the country, and two subsequent Supreme Court decisions interpreting it provide guidelines that already exclude certain births from receiving the citizenship benefit.

Trump's new attempt to restrict birthright citizenship even after the Supreme Court loss highlights the administration's drive to limit who can become an American.

New categories of restricted citizenship benefits

Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under current law for anyone who is born on U.S. soil, with a few exceptions.

The executive order released Thursday was narrower in scope than the previous one shot down by the Supreme Court and appeared to focus on restricting automatic citizenship to specific categories of people, including children born to adults with connections to foreign embassies or organizations as well as anyone considered an “alien enemy” of the United States.

U.S. immigration law says babies born to a “foreign diplomatic officer accredited to the United States” are not entitled to birthright citizenship under the Constitution, including ambassadors, ministers, chargés d’affaires, counselors, secretaries and attachés of embassies and legations, and members of the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities.

Trump’s orders Thursday would sharply expand those exemptions.

One order disqualifies babies who are products of “birth tourism.” The other applies to children of anyone working in a foreign embassy or representing a foreign government and employees of the United Nations or other international organizations. Children of parents tied to groups that are deemed terrorist organizations, like Antifa or Tren de Aragua, are also excluded.

“How is the federal government going to decide that a child is born to a member of a designated terrorist organization?” said César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, a law professor at Ohio State University. “These are not organizations that are sharing the membership lists if they even have them.”

Citizenship through surrogacy has become a concern for Republican members of Congress, some of whom proposed a bill this year that would restrict citizenship for children of noncitizen parents born to surrogates in the U.S.

García Hernández said he believes the new executive order addressing surrogacy could raise new legal questions. “Neither the 14th Amendment nor any of the Supreme Court’s decisions about how to interpret the 14th Amendment mentions or hints at surrogates,” the law professor said.

Questions over the scope of birth tourism

Trump’s executive order defines birth tourism as someone who enters the United States on a “nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil.”

Birth tourism is already considered fraud and grounds to restrict a visa if someone seeks one specifically to come to the U.S. and obtain citizenship for a child.

Advocates said the executive order would give immigration officers discretion to deny entry to pregnant women suspected of wanting to give birth in the U.S. without providing clearly defined guidelines.

The president did not offer data indicating the scope of the problem, but said Thursday: “I’ll tell you right now, hundreds of thousands, OK? Hundreds of thousands."

Although there's no official estimate of how many births can be considered “birth tourism” cases, experts say Trump’s approximation is exaggerated.

“The hundreds of thousands just seems like an overestimate based on the sort of limited data that we have available,” said Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, an associate policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2024 nearly 9,600 children were born to foreign mothers with an official address outside the country. Another estimate from the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that advocates for lower immigration, estimated that 20,000 to 26,000 birth tourists come to the U.S. each year.

Facilitators of birth tourism targeted

The order provides a sweeping indictment of “birth tourism operators” with no evidence of how widespread they are or how or why anyone accused of using their services would be exempt from constitutional protection.

Those efforts are not new either. Previous administrations have also sought to prosecute so-called “birth tourism” schemes that helped women hide their pregnancies while traveling to the United States to give birth.

“Birth tourism operators use deceptive advertisements and inducements to entice foreign nationals to travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth on American soil,” the order says.

“They promise citizenship; access to public benefits; and short-term stays in specialized facilities, hotels, or rentals, but often fail to deliver on these promises. These operators coach their clients to misrepresent the purpose and duration of their travel to consular and border officials to obtain visas authorizing entry into the United States.”

The Republican Party has embraced the mission. In late July, the office of the attorney general in Texas announced a “sweeping investigation” into potentially unlawful birth tourism schemes after some south Texas hospitals advertised birthing services in Mexico.

Legal challenges expected

Asked Thursday how his orders would survive Supreme Court scrutiny when his last attempt failed, Trump deferred to White House staff secretary Will Scharf, who, like his boss, sounded alarms about “birth tourism.” He emphasized consular discretion to grant visas.

“What we’re doing is taking legally validated means that are clearly within our disposal and targeting them to this birth tourism industry. There’s absolutely nothing here that runs afoul of any of the Supreme Court rulings on the subject,” Sharf said.

Advocates against the proposed changes said they believe the constitutional amendment and Supreme Court decisions will again stop the administration's efforts to restrict birthright citizenship.

“The bottom line is that the Supreme Court already considered the Trump administration’s plea to rewrite the Constitution and rejected it,” said Cody Wofsy, deputy director at the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants’ Rights Project.

“Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, and no amount of executive orders is going to change that.”

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Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin contributed.

“Healthcare shouldn't bankrupt you, housing should not feel impossible, polluters shouldn't pass their bill to us and artists should not be replaced by AI," Smith said. "That’s why I’m supporting Tom Steyer for governor.”

But Smith started the video with a disclaimer: “This is an ad, and honestly, I wish more political content said that first." His caption specified that he was paid by Steyer's campaign.

California is one of two states, along with Texas, that have passed policies requiring content creators to say if they've been paid by a political campaign to post, and the Golden State is considering cracking down by fining people who don't.

Campaigns have long worked with celebrities and major influencers to win over voters, but now they are teaming up with smaller creators — sometimes with fewer than 100,000 followers — to reach more tailored audiences. That has sparked debates about whether disclosure rules for political advertisements should apply to content creators, who are expected to play prominent roles in the upcoming midterms and the 2028 presidential election.

“If you’re running for president and you are not currently trying to court some of these people or lining up your own people to act as surrogates for you, you’re already behind,” said Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist who worked for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Campaigns tap creators to spread their message

Questions about transparency have been fueled by high-profile instances of influencers making content intended to change minds or votes without disclosing they were paid for it.

In 2022, the campaign of then-Senate candidate John Fetterman paid Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of “Jersey Shore” to record a video teasing his GOP rival for leaving New Jersey before announcing his run in Pennsylvania. In 2023, content creators were paid by an influencer marketing agency with conservative ties to defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, after he was impeached for alleged bribery and other accusations of misconduct, according to the Texas Tribune. The payments weren’t clearly disclosed in either case.

Steyer, a Democratic billionaire who spent more than $215 million of his own money in his unsuccessful bid for governor, took fire from rivals for paying content creators. He wasn’t the only hopeful in the race paying influencers, but he faced much of the blowback since he’d already been accused of trying to buy the election. Many of the creators who worked with Steyer’s campaign disclosed that they were paid, but the state’s campaign finance watchdog is investigating several other instances in which creators allegedly didn't.

There are no federal disclosure rules

California Sen. Adam Schiff introduced federal legislation last month, but it hasn't received a vote yet. Some outside groups are urging the Federal Election Commission to pass its own rule.

California's law requiring disclosure, passed in 2023, is difficult to enforce. The state’s campaign watchdog can seek a court order compelling an influencer to disclose that they were paid, but that can take months.

That prompted Democratic Assemblymember Marc Berman to write a new bill to penalize content creators and political committees if the creator fails to state they were compensated. The bill would give the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission the power to fine influencers and committees if they are found to have violated the law, allowing the commission to bypass the court process. They could face fines of up to $5,000 per violation, according to the commission.

“Voters should have a right to know whether or not campaigns are paying for the messaging that they’re seeing,” Berman said.

Texas’ campaign watchdog passed a rule in 2024 requiring content creators to include disclaimers when they are paid for political advertisements, and the New York Legislature is considering a similar requirement. Other disclosure bills failed in recent years in Utah and Georgia.

Influencer says his ad had an impact

Smith, the L.A. influencer, hadn’t committed to a candidate for governor when a trusted friend told him to look into Steyer. That friend had been paid to post about Steyer.

Smith liked Steyer’s promise to increase taxes on billionaires and his refusal to accept donations from corporate political action committees.

He ended up doing two paid ads, both of which included compensation disclaimers that the Steyer campaign told him were a requirement.

Smith wouldn't say exactly how much the campaign paid him, but he said it was in the thousands of dollars. He thinks the posts had an impact on his followers, with only a few detractors pushing back.

“They kind of trust my voice,” he said of his audience. “They knew that if I’m saying it, it’s at least something they should look into.”

Creators respond to proposed policy changes

Dustin Torreverde, a content creator in Southern California who hasn’t been paid by a political campaign for social media posts, said it's important for influencers to be transparent with their audiences. But the bill could pose an unfair burden on creators who are just trying to make a living, he said.

“A lot of us are very small creators,” he said. “So if we were to get penalized and we have to get lawyers, stuff like that, it’s going to be very difficult for us.”

Adina Flores, a libertarian content creator in Northern California who votes for both parties, said influencers should have to disclose if they are paid and she generally supports penalties. She worries that some people may take money to post political content without doing a “deep dive into the candidate to make sure that’s somebody they should support.”

Saurav Ghosh, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit focused on protecting U.S. democracy, hopes disclosure requirements passed by states will lead to federal rules.

“Transparency is one of the most important pillars of our election system,” he said.

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible periodically from Friday night through Sunday, with many neighborhoods remaining dry while others receive brief downpours.

Friday night

The first opportunity arrives Friday night, when scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop between late evening and the overnight hours.

Although severe weather is not anticipated, the strongest storms could produce heavy rainfall and wind gusts approaching 40 mph.

Saturday

Another round of isolated showers and thunderstorms is possible Saturday afternoon and evening as a weak cold front approaches Southeast Michigan.

Forecast models suggest rainfall will remain unevenly distributed, meaning many communities may avoid the wet weather altogether.

Sunday

Sunday appears to be the most favorable day for outdoor activities, with abundant sunshine and temperatures climbing into the mid-80s.

Conditions will remain warm and somewhat humid, although the 4Warn Weather team will continue monitoring a developing storm system to the west.

Rain and thunderstorm chances increase Sunday night and become more widespread Monday as a stronger disturbance approaches the Great Lakes.

Monday

There is the potential for stronger storms Monday. Although uncertainty remains regarding the timing and location of the heaviest activity, the chance of strong thunderstorms looks to be more likely in the afternoon and evening.

Looking ahead

Additional opportunities for showers and thunderstorms will continue through the middle of next week as a cooler weather pattern settles into the region.

High temperatures will generally remain in the mid-80s through the weekend before slipping into the lower 80s during the first half of next week.

For anyone attending festivals, fairs, concerts or other outdoor events, keep an eye on the sky and Exact Track 4D Radar.

While rain showers will be possible, the overall message is simple: keep your plans, but stay weather-aware.

Share your weather photos with Local 4 at MIPics.

Update: Hamtramck councilman sentenced to probation after election fraud conviction

Hassan, who also serves as the city’s mayor pro tem, was found not guilty on two felony counts — election law forgery and forging a signature on an absentee ballot application.

However, the jury did find him guilty of making a false statement in an application for an absentee ballot, a misdemeanor.

Hassan was initially charged in August 2025. Prosecutors alleged Hassan filed an absentee ballot application under the name of Zerin Sultana, claiming he helped her submit it.

Sultana testified she never asked for a ballot, never signed the form and does not vote. A Michigan State Police handwriting analysis confirmed the signature on the application was not hers.

The charges stem from a two-month investigation led by a special prosecutor, after the state attorney general’s office requested a review of allegations that Hassan and others attempted to submit absentee ballots on behalf of newly naturalized citizens.

Fellow Councilmember Muhtasin Sadman was also initially charged with election law forgery, forging a signature on an absentee ballot application and providing a false statement in an application for an absentee ballot.

His charges were dismissed in October 2025.

Hassan’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 7.

Hassan was found guilty of the misdemeanor charge following allegations that he submitted an absentee ballot application using the name of Zerin Sultana.

Prosecutors said Sultana testified that she did not request an absentee ballot, did not sign the application, and does not vote.

A jury acquitted Hassan of two additional, more serious charges related to the case.

As part of his sentence, Hassan must serve one year of probation and complete 80 hours of community service.

The case was the subject of a Local 4 investigation into allegations of election fraud.

The misdemeanor conviction stems from an absentee ballot application that prosecutors said was submitted under Sultana’s name.

Hassan faced additional charges, but jurors found him not guilty of those offenses.

Hassan remains a member of the Hamtramck City Council.

That would be All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

“You can’t tell me the guys that have to block that guy aren't important too,” Skoronski said Friday night after a scrimmage at Nissan Stadium.

Now Skoronski has done his part to reset the pay scale for interior linemen with the Tennessee Titans announcing Friday signing him to a multi-year extension making him the NFL's highest-paid guard.

“That's always a good thing to help the market along and help other guys along too,” Skoronski said. “I think that's a positive thing. But yeah, there's a reason because we have a tough job, and I think defenses now key on that too that the interior line is where the pocket starts.”

The Titans did not publicly announce details of the extension for the 11th overall pick of the 2023 draft. A person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press the four-year deal is worth $100 million with $88 million of that guaranteed and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

ESPN and the NFL Network first reported the terms of the contract making Skoronski the league's highest-paid guard.

Skoronski called the extension a tremendous blessing. He thanked controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, general manager Mike Borgonzi and new coach Robert Saleh for believing in him.

The Titans were the NFL's biggest spenders in free agency in March and continued the spending with the two stars they wanted to keep on this roster.

Simmons signed his own extension making him the league's highest-paid at his position in late June. This contract wraps up a lineman who finished fourth in the All Pro voting at left guard for the 2025 season.

Simmons said his teammate deserved this payday seeing how hard Skoronski works.

“To be able to battle against Pete these last couple years at practice have helped me,” said Simmons, who had a career-high 11 sacks last season.

The contract for Skoronski is a nice change for Tennessee, which didn't draft a player deemed not deserving of a second contract here from its draft classes of 2020, 2021 or 2022. This franchise had only one player from any of those draft classes still on the roster last season, and tight end Chig Okonkwo left in free agency.

Borgonzi said they couldn't be happier to keep Skoronski in Nashville with the goal of keeping players and people who are “cornerstones” for this team.

"Peter is certainly that for us,” Borgonzi said. “He has the work ethic to match his talent and a perpetual desire to win that we want permeating throughout our building. We’re excited to enter the season knowing he and his family will remain Titans for years to come.”

Skoronski missed three of his first four games as a rookie after being drafted out of Northwestern. He has started 47 straight games, not missing an offensive snap in either of the past two seasons.

His 48 starts are a franchise best for a player under the age of 25 since the beginning of the 1999 season. Skoronski just turned 25, and nobody on the roster has started more consecutive games than his 47 straight.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

The festival, which took place Friday (Aug. 7) night, celebrates a food with deep roots in Detroit’s Polish community.

Polish immigrants brought pierogis to the city as they came to work in Detroit’s auto factories.

The event offers visitors a chance to enjoy traditional pierogis while celebrating the area’s Polish heritage and history.

The festival continues through Sunday, giving those who missed Friday night’s festivities another opportunity to attend.

The event also comes as Metro Detroit enjoys a stretch of summer weather, making for a pleasant evening outdoors.

A slate of nominees and other notable Democrats emphasized unity to a crowd of more than 1,000, who cheered loudest for Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official. He narrowly beat establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in a contentious, closely watched primary for an open U.S. Senate seat.

“Michigan, we will fight to build the America that we are proud to hand off to our kids and our grandkids,” El-Sayed said at a podium beneath a scoreboard in a Detroit high school gym.

With less than three months before the general election where El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, the Democratic Party is under pressure to close ranks in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.

“In the spirit of coming together, I want to thank both of my colleagues who ran, Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow, for an incredible race,” El-Sayed said. McMorrow, a state senator, suspended her campaign in July and appeared alongside El-Sayed at a Wednesday event after his victory.

Current Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ decision to not seek reelection left the seat open. Michigan is a perennial battleground state, having voted for President Donald Trump in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump again in 2024.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a potential 2028 presidential contender and Michigan resident, referenced the seat’s national implications, prompting cheers from the crowd.

“The stakes are high, and people from around the country, people from around the world, are watching the state of Michigan right now to see if we have the capability to put together that coalition to win,” he said. “And we will win.”

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state who is running for governor, referenced an attempt by the Trump administration to access Michigan voters’ personal information. A federal judge ruled in June that the state does not have to share voters’ information with the federal government. Benson won her primary easily and will face Trump-backed Rep. John James in the general election.

“You all know who I work for. All of you and every Michigander in this state — not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump,” Benson said.

Other statewide candidates who spoke included Eli Savit, who is running for attorney general, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who is running for secretary of state. The crowd cheered and stomped their feet on the gym bleachers when speakers talked about reproductive rights, protection for voters and opposing the Trump administration.

Before the rally started, attendee Tom Moran carried a banner that read “Unite behind the winner.” The school bus driver from Fenton, Michigan, voted for Stevens in the primary.

“Now I’m saying, take the pledge. Unite behind our nominee,” Moran, 71, said.

The messy primary between El-Sayed and Stevens occasionally got personal. El-Sayed told Semafor in early July that Stevens couldn’t “string together two coherent sentences.” In a separate interview, he called Stevens “the least capable candidate in America.”

Stevens, in turn, accused El-Sayed of chasing publicity.

“I’m the only one on this stage who doesn’t have a talent agent trying to pitch me for paid speeches,” she said during a debate against El-Sayed. “And unlike my opponent, I’m not running at the first mic or camera I see.”

Stevens, who lost the primary by just under 1 percentage point, told CBS News on Thursday that she was willing to campaign with El-Sayed.

“Whatever he wants me to do,” she said. Stevens appeared Thursday with El-Sayed at a breakfast hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party.

___

GaNun is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Jazman Hock, 28, of Muskegon; Sarah Vida, 28, of Muskegon; and Vida’s 9-year-old son, Kayden Kovalcik, were located at about 4:36 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 7) by a Michigan State Police K-9 team and Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

The three were found approximately three-quarters of a mile northeast of the Mill Iron Road Boat Launch, police said.

The discovery ended a widespread search that began after the group went missing following a tubing trip on the Muskegon River.

Officials said the three entered the water Tuesday, Aug. 4, from the Maple Island Boat Launch near Bridgeton.

The investigation began after the father of one of the women found her vehicle at the boat launch with a broken window.

Family members reported they had not heard from the group, and police said two inflatable tubes believed to belong to the missing individuals were later located.

Search crews also discovered footprints that were being evaluated as part of the investigation.

Before the three were found, Kayden’s father, Brent Kovalcik, spoke about the uncertainty surrounding their disappearance.

“I don’t know if they’re alive, I don’t know if they were kidnapped, I don’t know if they’re down the river, far, far away,” Kovalcik said.

Officials said no further information would be released at this time out of respect for the privacy of those involved.

We are relieved to report that Jazman Hock, Sarah Vida, and Kayden Kovalcik have been located alive and safe.

This is the outcome everyone involved had hoped for. We are incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of the many law enforcement agencies, fire departments,… pic.twitter.com/e1zzgLxzt6

— MSP Sixth District (@mspwestmi) August 7, 2026

Democrats drew more than 1,300 people Friday night at Renaissance High School, pushing party unity after a primary that drew national attention.

“The entire trajectory of the United States of America rests on the choices of Michiganders,” Democratic secretary of state candidate Garlin Gilchrist told the crowd.

Democratic attorney general candidate Eli Savit said the moment calls for “standing up against even the most powerful interests,” adding that “includes standing up against the president of the United States.”

Republicans held their own kickoff rally Wednesday, with candidates emphasizing party solidarity and public trust.

“Now more than ever it’s important that we come together as a united front,” Republican attorney general candidate Doug Lloyd said. “One thing we have to remember is the Democrats are a lot more divided than we are.”

“Public trust isn’t built on speeches,” said Republican secretary of state candidate Anthony Forlini. “It’s built up by showing up, it’s by keeping your word, it’s built by delivering results. It’s exactly what this ticket is prepared to do.”

In a speech Friday (Aug. 7), Democrat Abdul El-Sayed took aim at Republican Mike Rogers.

“I got some opinions about his name,” El-Sayed joked. “It’s very fitting for him — Rogers — because that’s his answer every time a corporation or Donald Trump tells him to do something.”

Rogers took his own shots at El-Sayed, telling supporters, “You cannot have an anti-American, 9/11 America’s fault candidate win an election and I don’t care where it is, but we’re not going to let it happen here in Michigan.”

In the governor’s race, Republican John James told the crowd “hope is on the horizon”.

“With the right leadership and with us unified together to free this state from communism and save Michigan, the best is yet to come,” James said.

Democrat Jocelyn Benson said she would answer to voters, not donors or party leaders.

“You all know who I’ll work for, all of you and every Michigander in this state,” Benson said. “Not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump, you.”

It follows reporting last month, including from The New York Times, on security concerns over the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One, including that it lacked the advanced antimissile capabilities of its predecessor.

Kendall told The Associated Press late Friday that he was “completely mystified” by the revocation.

“I’ve always been extremely careful to not say anything classified, and as far as I know I have not,” Kendall said. “No one has said anything to me about what I’m asserted to have revealed and I can’t imagine what it could be.”

The plane underwent a $400 million retrofit and upgrade. It has been put into service domestically and President Donald Trump also flew on it to Turkey last month. But he used an older model Air Force One jet to leave the NATO summit, as the U.S. launched airstrikes on Iran and Tehran attacked three Gulf Arab states.

The Times reported that the president made the switch at the urging of the Secret Service and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older Air Force One aircraft. Trump denied to reporters that the swap was due to security concerns, although he also said he is under threat "all the time” and is Iran’s “No. 1” target.

In the Times article, Kendall, who served under President Joe Biden, is quoted as saying that the time for upgrades to the plane would not have been enough for “all the normal Air Force One modifications” and he was surprised that the plane was used outside the U.S.

Kendall said Friday, “I’ve been comfortable being on the record with reporters and on national television about the Qatari 747 because I’m confident that I haven’t said anything classified.”

In response to the reporting, the Justice Department subpoenaed the Times' reporters to try to compel them to out their sources, which stirred fears over press freedoms. The department, after criticism from the judge for sloppy legal work, grudgingly withdrew the subpoenas last month.

The Air Force has argued that the rapid conversion of the jet was done “without accepting any risk regarding security, safety, or secure communications,” but it also has acknowledged the different capabilities. It said “several highly complex engineering modifications” required for the new U.S.-made Air Force One aircraft were intentionally excluded in the modifications to the plane from Qatar. The Air Force acknowledged it did not widen the doors leading out of the aircraft or include multiple stairs built into the hull of the plane.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell didn't specify in a post on X which media outlet Kendall was accused of sharing classified information with.

“Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty,” he wrote. “Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”

It’s not the first time the Trump administration has revoked security clearances, including of 37 then-current and former national security officials last year. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pulled security protections and clearance for Gen. Mark Milley, retired Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, soon after the administration took office.

Parnell didn't say if Kendall was being referred for prosecution, and the Pentagon declined to provide more information. Typically, such accusations are partnered with referrals for prosecution over violations of the Espionage Act.

A well-known example was when the Obama administration filed charges against Edward Snowden, a former intelligence agency contractor who publicly disclosed a massive trove of secret documents about U.S. surveillance operations before fleeing to Russia.

More recently, a federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison in 2024 for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. That was the most consequential national security breach in years.

“DIABLO: The Infernal Path” will premiere during Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends event.

The attraction is designed exclusively for Cedar Point and Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, according to Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

The maze will take guests through a fictional realm where a ritual has broken the barrier between worlds and unleashed demons and other creatures from the “Diablo” universe.

Guests will encounter characters including The Butcher, Duriel, Baal, Mephisto, Lilith and Diablo as they make their way through the attraction.

The “Diablo” franchise debuted in 1996 and has sold more than 100 million games worldwide, according to Blizzard Entertainment.

The maze will feature environments inspired by the game’s mythology, including settings depicting demonic corruption and fiery landscapes.

The attraction will be included with the purchase of a Haunted Attractions Pass during HalloWeekends.

Six Flags also promotes its Gold Pass as an option for guests who want unlimited admission to Cedar Point and participating Six Flags parks in the Midwest region, including Kings Island and Six Flags Great America.

Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends features Halloween-themed attractions, entertainment and haunted experiences. Operating dates and ticket information are available through the park’s website.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 8:24 p.m. on Thursday (Aug. 6) to the area of Dorfield Drive and Briston Drive after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a crash involving an electric motorcycle and a parked vehicle.

Callers reported the child was unconscious following the collision.

The preliminary investigation found that the child was operating an electric motorcycle when it struck a legally parked 2010 Ram 1500, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Rochester Hills firefighters transported the child to Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, where the child was admitted in serious but stable condition.

Officials said the electric motorcycle was advertised as capable of speeds exceeding 45 mph.

The vehicle was not registered or insured, authorities said.

The child was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but police determined it was designed for bicycle use and was not rated for motorcycle use.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reminded parents and riders that electric motorcycles can differ significantly from electric bicycles.

Depending on their design, power and maximum speed, some electric vehicles may be classified as motorcycles or other motor vehicles under Michigan law and may be subject to licensing, registration, insurance and equipment requirements.

The Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash.

No additional information was immediately released.

The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor after Blanche's confirmation was thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

Cassidy said Blanche “is not perfect," citing concerns over a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, a tax audit immunity deal for the Republican president and investigations targeting the president's political opponents.

But Cassidy said no other nominee may be able to run the department better under Trump, and he added that Blanche's role as Trump's former criminal defense lawyer can make him more effective at pushing back on the president's demands.

“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances," Cassidy said. The senator, who lost his Republican primary after Trump endorsed his rival, appeared to choke up as he described the criticism he expected to face for his Blanche vote, adding, “What’s new?”

Blanche's nomination came after Bondi was ousted

Blanche would become Trump’s second confirmed attorney general since the president returned to the White House last year with a stated desire to use the law enforcement agency to investigate his perceived enemies. He has been serving as acting attorney general since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April after she failed to deliver on criminal cases against Trump's foes.

Blanche's path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that has drawn intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike. The settlement called for the creation of the $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who feel mistreated by the criminal justice system and provided Trump and family members with immunity from tax audits.

Republican senator cites concerns about Blanche

Murkowski, in announcing her opposition to Blanche, cited concerns over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the sweeping tax audit immunity deal and the proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” The Alaska senator said she is worried the Trump administration could proceed with the fund despite the administration's promises that it is dead, noting that the Senate has leverage over the fund only because Blanche’s nomination is pending.

“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski said. “I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Blanche's nomination only after a deal reached last weekend with two other Republican senators — John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — who had been threatening to block his confirmation over aspects of the settlement.

Under the deal, Blanche formally rescinded the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” writing in an order that “there is no Fund.”

The Justice Department also clarified in writing that the tax audit immunity agreement applies only to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect Trump from examination of future tax filings. It also makes clear that only the parties that brought the lawsuit — Trump, two of his sons and the Trump Organization — are covered by the tax agreement.

Democrats accuse Blanche of prioritizing his allegiance to Trump

But Democrats say Blanche's order doesn't stop the Trump administration from reviving the fund after his confirmation and have called for legislation to permanently bar it. Trump has repeatedly defended the fund and has threatened to push forward with it if Republicans don't support Blanche's nomination.

Lawmakers and legal experts have also questioned the lawfulness of the tax protections for Trump. A federal judge who oversaw the IRS case has described Trump’s lawsuit as an improper exercise in self-dealing, and on Thursday the union representing IRS workers asked another judge to block the immunity agreement.

Democrats have accused Blanche of prioritizing his loyalty to Trump above all else through investigations against Trump foes such as former FBI Director James Comey and a radical reshaping of a department that historically prided itself on its independence from the White House. Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the department has lost thousands of employees through firings, resignations or voluntary departures.

Blanche’s supporters say his experience as a federal prosecutor and the trust he earned from Trump in the courtroom makes him better equipped than Bondi to explain to the White House the legal constraints of its demands. Republicans have also touted his efforts to bring down violent crime, tackle illegal immigration and combat violent cartels and drug trafficking.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said it would be a “serious mistake” to confirm Blanche, begging his colleagues not to be on the “wrong side” of history.

“If there is ever a moment in history when we need an attorney general above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it’s right now,” Durbin said.

There was no word on the conditions of the people aboard the helicopter as officials said they couldn't immediately reach the crash site.

During firefighting operations in Oregon, 47-year-old Jason Ensign died Thursday while operating a dozer for a timber company. The Wrights Spring fire escalated with “unexpected and rapid growth” and cut off Ensign's escape route, the local sheriff's department said.

The fire started on Wednesday in south-central Oregon east of the town of Chiloquin. It had burned almost 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) by Friday with no containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Extremely hot and dry weather has caused erratic fire behavior, officials said.

The downed helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah that was caused by lightning on July 27. It crashed near Richfield, which is about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Conditions were good enough for aircraft to fly when the helicopter crashed, said Tyler Hecht with the Great Basin Incident Management Team.

The Sikorsky S-64 helicopter had been working in an area with steep terrain. It ignited another fire when it crashed. Hecht said at an afternoon press conference he did not know how long the helicopter was flying before it crashed.

Response teams had not been able to get to the scene of the accident by Friday evening because of the flames, but hoped to get there in the next 24 hours, officials said.

“We didn't want to put them at bigger risk,” Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said. “We'll get them in there as soon as we can."

It was unknown if fire had overrun the crash scene, Hecht said.

Firefighting efforts were paused after the accident but later resumed, they said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate, but they may not be able to safely reach the scene immediately if the wildfire is burning nearby.

Sikorsky S-64 “Skycrane” helicopters are used commercially and by government agencies for fire fighting and other purposes. They can be equipped with tanks to drop water or fire retardant onto blazes.

Fire crews were warned Friday morning that there would be erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures as well as the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red flag warnings were in effect.

The fire on the Fishlake National Forest near small community of Kanosh, Utah had grown to 165 square miles (427 square kilometers) and was 19% contained by Friday morning. More than 600 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze, which has triggered evacuations and destroyed at least six structures as it burns through timber, brush and grass.

Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds have contributed to blazes in Utah and other parts of the West.

Four firefighters were killed and a fifth was injured after they were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire in Colorado in June. The firefighters tried to shield themselves by deploying tentlike emergency shelters as flames overran their position.

Dr. Vivek Loomba was charged with four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the fourth degree with force or coercion -- a two-year misdemeanor -- in 2017.

Police say Loomba quit his job at Henry Ford, left the U.S. in 2017 while the case was being investigated, and did not return. Investigators told Local 4 they believe he failed to board a flight back on Nov. 7, 2017.

“The idea that in 2026, Dr. Loomba is practicing medicine in India or anywhere else for that matter is deeply disturbing,” said Andrew J. Laurila, an Associate Attorney with Giroux Pappas Law, who represented three female patients in lawsuits filed against Loomba. “Particularly because his alleged 2017 crimes came to light only after brave women spoke up against him. Absent those police reports, who knows how long he would have continued victimizing vulnerable patients.”

‘I trusted him’

After a concerned potential patient of Loomba’s, living in India, asked about Loomba from a friend, what that friend says he discovered in the U.S. was “scary.”

A man who wants to remain anonymous said he was vetting Loomba for his friend in India and found an old story from Local 4 from 2019.

“When I went into the article, and I saw that they have the same picture... I was very scared,” he said. “I don’t think this person should have at least a medical business anywhere – active at least until he’s cleared of his crimes. This doesn’t seem safe.”

Lori McKee of Waterford previously told Local 4 that during a visit at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield, Loomba sexually assaulted her.

McKee alleged Loomba started touching her without a nurse practitioner in the room.

“He takes his hand, and he totally cups my breast and… moves it,” McKee said.

McKee claims Loomba continued to touch her inappropriately until she moved, and he backed away.

“I’m embarrassed about this whole situation because I’m a nurse. I’m supposed to recognize what’s right and what’s wrong, but I trusted him,” she said in 2019. “I cried all day. I have problems sleeping, so I wake up in the middle of the night with panic attacks.”

McKee worried there might be other victims.

Local 4 found what appears to be a website and signs of an active practice.

Loomba appears very visible on social media, including Instagram, and there are ads promoting a pain-management clinic in Delhi.

The site says: “Dr. Vivek Loomba, an anesthesiologist in Delhi with 23+ years of experience, specializes in pain management and palliative care.”

When Local 4 called, someone who answered said Loomba was out of the office, but an appointment could be made for the following week.

When Local 4 asked to speak to Loomba about the allegations and the warrant, we were hung up on repeatedly.

Eventually, we were sent automatically to a voicemail that said in part: “the number you are calling is either switched off or not reachable at the moment.”

More allegations

West Bloomfield Police said they have four women who have come forward with similar allegations. Local 4 obtained a police report from 2017, and one victim told officers she was instructed by staff at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield to remove clothing from the waist up, including her bra, and put on a hospital gown.

She said she was waiting for routine injections for neck and back pain. She said when Dr. Loomba entered, he closed the curtain “so that other people could not see inside of the room.” The report said she told police Loomba began touching her neck and shoulders under the gown and told her, “yes, you are tight,” then massaged her neck with both hands.

She alleged Loomba then moved his hands down toward the front of her chest and placed “both of his open hands on her breasts” under the gown. The report says she alleged he continued touching her breasts, “cupping” and “feeling” them for about two minutes.

The report says she also told police that after he resumed massaging her neck, Loomba told her, “You should get my massages instead of these injections,” and she replied, “No.”

A registered nurse told police Loomba asked her to pull the curtain and that he was alone with the patient. The nurse said it had happened “a few times” in the past and that, looking back, it felt like a “red flag.”

Another registered nurse told police the patient quietly asked her if it was normal for the doctor to do “certain things,” then reenacted the alleged touching.

The nurse said the patient described it as feeling like a breast exam and asked if that was normal.

The nurse told police she told the patient it was “not normal” and that the clinic does not do anything involving breast examinations.

The report says the patient told the nurse she felt violated, and the nurse reported the allegation to a supervisor.

According to the report, multiple alleged victims were interviewed, and each said they felt violated and taken advantage of and that the doctor’s position of trust made it difficult in the moment to immediately recognize or stop what they believed was happening.

Separately, lawsuits were filed on behalf of patients as the allegations spread.

Laurila told Local 4 that three civil cases were dismissed without prejudice because Loomba could not be served after he fled the country.

“Multiple women credibly accused him of sexually assaulting them during medical appointments in 2017, and his response was to quit his job, flee the country, and never return,” said Laurila.

Federal involvement

West Bloomfield police said the FBI and Homeland Security have been involved since Loomba went rogue, but investigators say they have not had cooperation from law enforcement in India.

That lack of cooperation and the fact that the charges are misdemeanors -- not felonies -- are reasons the case remains stuck.

Still, West Bloomfield police say the warrants remain active, and the investigation remains ongoing. They also say there is a “permanent flag through Homeland Security,” meaning that if Loomba even books a flight, authorities would be notified.

If you believe you may have been a victim of Dr. Vivek Loomba, you’re urged to call West Bloomfield Police or your local police department.

Previous story:Woman alleges doctor sexually assaulted her at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield

Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom where the White House’s East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition last fall, according to the decision by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The Republican president said on social media that the administration will immediately appeal what he called an “unjust decision” to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday's ruling marked the second time this week that the Trump administration has made headlines for construction plans that have been called into question. An assessment by the National Park Service found that a 250-foot-tall (76-meter-tall) triumphal arch that Trump has proposed building could compromise the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location on a traffic circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

In a 2-1 decision on the ballroom, the appeals court sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction of the massive structure, which has begun to rise above ground on the east side of the White House, according to the most recent aerial photos of the site. The court said it would stay its ruling for two weeks to give the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,” the court wrote.

“This holding has nothing at all to do with whether the proposed ballroom is desirable, or not, as a matter of policy. This ruling does not even necessarily mean that the Defendants may not ultimately construct the ballroom.

“What it does mean,” the court continued, “is that the Defendants may not do so during the district court’s expeditious litigation without securing Congress’s authorization, as the Constitution and laws require.”

Trump insists Congress' approval is unnecessary

The president reacted to the ruling with a lengthy post on social media in which he quoted from a dissenting opinion issued by Judge Neomi Rao, whom he nominated. He also described the plans for the facility to include bomb shelters, a hospital and medical facilities, “Top Secret Military Facilities” and other security features.

“The Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation in that the entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country and, additionally, all future Presidents,” Trump wrote.

After the lower court earlier this year ordered a halt to aboveground construction, the president argued that permission from Congress was unnecessary because public money was not being used to pay for it.

Trump has said he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from corporations and wealthy people, including himself, to cover the construction costs.

But the Trump administration had requested $1 billion for the ballroom, which Congress refused in May. In June, Democrats warned that $350 million in funds from a tax cuts law appeared to have been redirected to the White House for security, including the ballroom.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the nonprofit organization that brought the lawsuit against the Trump administration, said Friday's decision affirmed “the American people's right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish,” including the White House.

“From the beginning, our position has been clear and consistent: the law states that only Congress can authorize the construction of a ballroom at the White House,” Brent Leggs, the group's president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are pleased with the DC Circuit Court’s decision to uphold the District Court’s preliminary injunction, which although stayed for 14 days will block any above-ground ballroom construction unless and until Congress takes action.”

The divided appeals court panel upheld an April 16 order from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for the Trump administration to halt aboveground work on the ballroom. Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, allowed construction to continue on underground work on a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site.

The appeals court case was assigned to Judges Rao, Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia. Millett was nominated to the court by Democratic President Barack Obama. Garcia was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden. Both Millett and Garcia backed the decision, while Rao opposed it.

Preservationists challenge Trump in court

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued over the project in December 2025, a week after completion of the East Wing demolition to make way for a ballroom that Trump says would hold 999 people.

Government lawyers have argued that the project — the biggest structural change to the White House in more than 70 years — must move forward because it includes critical security features to guard against a range of threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.

“These upgrades, alterations, and improvements are essential to protecting the President, his family, and his staff, as well as the White House itself, and the entire project flows from them,” government attorneys wrote in a court filing.

Attorneys for the preservation group countered that the lack of a White House ballroom doesn’t constitute a national security emergency.

“That commonsense conclusion is not clearly erroneous, and there is no basis to disturb it,” they wrote.

In an initial ruling that the government also appealed, Leon barred aboveground work on the ballroom from proceeding without congressional approval. In response, the appeals court instructed the judge to reconsider the national security implications of stopping construction.

In his most recent decision, Leon ordered a stop only to the aboveground construction of the planned ballroom. The judge stressed that the White House is free to proceed with underground work, including the construction of any bunkers, military installations and medical facilities.

On April 2, Trump’s ballroom won final approval from the 12-member National Capital Planning Commission, which is charged with approving construction on federal property in the Washington region.

___

Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Gary Fields and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.

Update: Person of interest in fatal shooting on Detroit’s east side in custody

The incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at approximately 11:50 p.m. in the area of Burns and Goethe streets.

According to police, the person of interest and the victim, a man in his 50s, were seen together before the victim was fatally shot.

Detroit police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the identity of the victim.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detroit Police Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp, or submit an anonymous tip through DetroitRewards.TV using report number 2608040071.

Police said a $5,000 reward is available for information that helps move the investigation forward.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Detroit Police Department had asked the public for help identifying the person of interest in connection with the Aug. 3 killing.

The shooting happened at about 11:50 p.m. near Burns and Goethe streets, according to police.

The victim, a man in his 50s, was fatally shot after he and the person of interest were seen together, police said.

Detroit police have not released the victim’s identity or additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police previously offered a $5,000 reward for information that helped advance the investigation.

Anyone with information can contact the Detroit Police Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

The investigation remains ongoing.

In a recent city council meeting, Mayor Tim Woolley said he received reports from the Michigan Department of Transportation of people riding on construction mounds and causing vandalism at locations where crews are mixing cement for the project.

Woolley said the riding isn’t just a safety issue, it also risks contaminating materials needed to complete the work.

“Riding up and down the hills of the gravel and the sand and everything, that contaminates that sand and stone,” Woolley said. “ So I’m going to ask kindly that people refrain from doing that. That’s trespassing. This can make this projects go on a lot longer than anybody wants.”

The mayor also said cameras have been set up at the sites and warned that anyone caught trespassing will be prosecuted “to the highest limit of the law.”

Local 4 reached out to MDOT for comment on this story. They sent a statement:

“The Restore 94 Project has experienced vandalism and trespassing on some construction sites and has involved the Taylor and Michigan State police. The areas are now being fenced and secured. A reminder to the public that it is dangerous to enter a construction area.

Diane Cross, MDOT Communications, Metro Region

Local 4 contacted Taylor police regarding enforcement at the locations. The department has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Blanche’s prospective confirmation appeared threatened earlier Friday, when Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced her opposition. Murkowski cited concern that the administration could proceed with a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, despite Blanche formally terminating it.

Also, an appeals court has ruled Trump must seek approval from Congress to build his proposed White House ballroom, saying construction must stop. The U.S. Court of Appeals sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction. The court said it would stay its own ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here's the latest:

Department of Defense didn’t say if former US Air Force secretary would be referred for prosecution

The department alleged on X that former Secretary Frank Kendall had disclosed classified information to the media, and that they had consequently revoked his eligibility to access classified information. But the statement didn’t specify if federal law enforcement would be following up,and the Pentagon didn’t immediately respond to questions on the topic.

Typically such accusations are partnered with referrals for prosecution over violations of the Espionage Act.

A well-known example was when the Obama administration filed charges against Edward Snowden, a former intelligence agency contractor who publicly disclosed a massive trove of secret documents about U.S. surveillance operations before fleeing to Russia.

More recently, a federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison in 2024 for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. That was the most consequential national security breach in years.

Trump administration revokes former US Air Force secretary’s ‘eligibility’ to access classified information

Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, wrote on X that Biden-era secretary, Frank Kendall, has been barred from holding “any sensitive position,” citing “his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet.”

Media outlets, including The New York Times, reported last month on security concerns over the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One. In response to the reporting, the Justice Department subpoenaed the newspaper’s reporters to try to compel them to out their sources. The department, after criticism from the judge, grudgingly withdrew the subpoenas.

On X, Parnell wrote that “safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty,” though he did not specify which outlet Kendall allegedly shared information with.

The former secretary did not respond to a call and text seeking comment.

Brazil’s Lula says Rubio ignores Trump in relationship with Latin America

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Friday he maintains a respectful relationship with Trump, placing the blame for recent U.S.-Brazil frictions on Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“He is either anti-Latin America or a frustrated Latin American,” Lula said during a visit to São José dos Campos, accusing Rubio of hating Brazil, Cuba, and Colombia, while supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro and undermining agreements made with Trump.

“He does things differently from what we discuss with Trump,” the Brazilian president added.

This week, the U.S. revoked Brazil’s U.S. ambassador ’s visa after Brazil denied visas to two State Department officials ahead of October’s elections, where Lula faces Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro.

Washington also cited delays in approving U.S. Ambassador nominee Daniel Perez, who cleared the Senate earlier, but awaits Brazilian authorization.

US would end blockade if an acceptable Strait of Hormuz deal emerges, official says

If an acceptable deal is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump would end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as long as the terms of the agreement are respected, a U.S. official said Friday.

The administration has been told by regional mediators that a deal between Iran and Oman on the crucial waterway could be finalized in the coming days, the official said. The U.S. would study whatever comes from the Iran-Oman talks before taking a position.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, reiterated that the U.S. would not accept any agreement that allows Iran to charge tolls or service fees or otherwise interfere with ships.

— By Matthew Lee

Trump announces more than $2B for critical minerals project and investment in mining schools

The funding is for a variety of critical minerals projects to help produce the key elements needed for all kinds of high-tech products and weapons.

The biggest share of that is a $1.4 billion loan from the Department of War to help Sila Nanotechnologies build a new lithium battery plant. Other investments include $150 million for Niron Magnetics to boost production of powerful magnets that don’t require any rare earth elements and $400 million to help Sunrise Energy Metals build a scandium mine in Australia.

In addition, Trump said his administration will invest $180 million in the schools that train miners.

Colorado School of Mines President Paul Johnson said that over the past few decades “our expertise has atrophied over time -- particularly in the processing space.”

Trump has made it a priority to develop a supply of critical minerals outside of China, which dominates the mining and processing of the hard-to-pronounce elements that are crucial for missiles, nuclear subs, fighter jets and a variety of high-tech products.

Zelenskyy grateful to Senate for passing sanctions bill

The Ukrainian president said the measure would help increase pressure on Russia to bring an end to the over four-year war.

“Ukraine values ALL the support the United States provides to Ukraine — from both parties and from the American people as a whole,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on social media.

Zelenskyy said as Ukraine works to secure more air defense systems to help stop Russia’s campaign to hit the country with large-scale ballistic missile attacks every signal of support for bringing a swift end to the war was extremely important.

“Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help most. Diplomacy comes closer with every step that increases pressure on the aggressor. Thank you to everyone who understands this and is advancing PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Zelenskyy wrote.

US hits Iranian digital asset exchanges with sanctions

The Trump administration has hit two Iranian-linked digital asset exchanges with sanctions, alleging that the government in Tehran uses them to launder billions of dollars to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Treasury announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on SHPS Shelbit and the Shelbit Exchange, both Georgia-based companies, as well as their top executive, Siavash Kayvanpour, an Iranian-born businessman who lives outside of Iran.

Treasury said the companies were also involved in a Persian-language gambling website network that is illegal inside of Iran but is still connected to the country’s financial system.

Senate confirms 74 Trump nominations, including TSA leader and ambassador to Brazil

The Senate also confirmed David Cummins as head of the Transportation Security Administration, an agency facing persistent challenges, particularly after this year’s record partial government shutdown left TSA employees working for weeks without pay.

He is taking over as the Trump administration seeks to expand private airport screening and cut thousands of TSA jobs.

Daniel Perez, a close friend of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a former speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives, was confirmed to be the next U.S. ambassador to Brazil. Perez has been central to an ongoing diplomatic dispute between the Trump administration and the government of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Earlier this week, the State Department said the Brazilian government’s refusal to accept Perez’s appointment was a main reason for its decision to revoke the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States.

Senate confirms Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA

The Senate on Friday confirmed Cameron Hamilton as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, returning the former Navy SEAL to the embattled agency he led temporarily last year only to be fired after he publicly opposed eliminating it.

He will take over an agency whose future has been uncertain since Trump threatened to get rid of it days into his second term. Hamilton’s nomination signaled that Trump may be moving on from that idea, but his Republican administration is still promising drastic changes in how the government handles disasters.

Hamilton will have to shepherd that overhaul while stabilizing an agency of more than 20,000 employees recovering from a slew of chaotic policies enacted during Kristi Noem’s tenure leading the Department of Homeland Security.

He was among a group of 74 nominations approved by the Senate 51-47.

Ukraine’s foreign minister commends Senate for passing Russia sanctions bill

Andrii Sybiha called it “an important step” to further strengthening the sanctions regime against Russia.

“This landmark legislation is a powerful demonstration of America’s global leadership. I extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the U.S. Senate for their leadership, their principled bipartisan support, and their enduring solidarity with Ukraine. Together, we are bringing a lasting peace closer,” Sybiha said in a post on X.

Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill negotiated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham

Passage of the bill Friday signals renewed bipartisan support for Ukraine as the war drags on.

The legislation would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol late last month and watched from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes on the legislation.

The legislation allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. The package next goes to the House.

Army secretary gets inspiration from Ukraine’s weapons advancements

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told The Associated Press that policy changes like making test ranges more accessible to private companies developing drones and missiles have been driven in part by his observations of the war in Ukraine and how quickly that country has moved to produce new weapon systems.

He had been a key interlocutor during talks between Russia and Ukraine last year before those negotiations stalled.

Hillary Clinton blasts Trump’s White House changes

The former first lady and secretary of state said the president’s changes to the White House, such as gold trims added through the building, recall the decor of Saddam Hussein’s palaces.

“I had meetings in some of his palaces and they were quite reminiscent of what we are seeing in our own White House,” Clinton said in a podcast with Kara Swisher posted on Friday.

Clinton said she wasn’t opposed to the idea of a ballroom, noting the need during her White House days to hold events in a tent if there were too many guests. But she said she was opposed to Trump’s lack of process.

“The next president is going to have a big decision,” she said. “What do you do with a half-finished ballroom?”

Graham gives closing argument for her brother’s Russia sanctions bill

Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina has given the closing arguments for a bill that aims to penalize countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, depriving President Vladimir Putin of resources for his war against Ukraine.

The bill is named after her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who spent more than a year trying to win support for the measure before he died.

Darline Graham said the legislation her brother helped craft “hits Putin where it hurts.”

She says lawmakers had a choice to stand up to evil or continue with the status quo.

“It’s time for a show of strength,” she said.

Colleagues from both parties applauded as she closed, something they rarely do after Senate speeches, an acknowledgment of just how personal the bill was for her brother.

Trump says he will appeal ruling on ballroom, which he calls a 'desperately needed Military Center'

The president reacted to the ruling with a lengthy post on social media.

In it, he said he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, quoted from a dissenting opinion issued by one of the judges and described the plans for the facility to include bomb shelters, a hospital and medical facilities, “Top Secret Military Facilities” and other security features.

“The Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation in that the entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country and, additionally, all future Presidents,” Trump wrote.

He also repeated his false claims that it will not cost taxpayer money. Congress refused the Trump administration’s request for $1 billion for the ballroom in May. In June, Democrats warned that $350 million in funds appeared to have been redirected for the ballroom.

Trump administration pledges $2B for humanitarian assistance to faith-based organizations

The State Department announced the commitment with little fanfare on Thursday. The money will primarily find Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision and Compassion International, it said.

The move “underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to partnering with organizations that demonstrate faith in action and have proven their ability to deliver health and humanitarian assistance in the world’s most difficult environments.”

The three groups are all Christian charities and have been active in combatting the recent Ebola virus outbreak in Africa as well as delivering assistance in the Middle East and Latin America.

National Trust for Historic Preservation reacts to ballroom ruling

Brent Leggs, the nonprofit organization’s president and CEO, said the appeals court ruling affirmed “the American people’s right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish,” including the White House.

“This is a great day for our country,” Leggs said. “From the beginning, our position has been clear and consistent: the law states that only Congress can authorize the construction of a ballroom at the White House. We are pleased with the DC Circuit Court’s decision to uphold the District Court’s preliminary injunction, which although stayed for 14 days will block any above-ground ballroom construction unless and until Congress takes action.”

Army pushes for faster weapons development under new test range initiative

The U.S. Army says it’s opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones and other weapons in hopes of buying them more quickly for use on the battlefield.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters Friday at a range in Michigan that the effort will cut the red tape that can stifle military contractors. He pledged to grant companies access to ranges within 30 days of making a request through an online marketplace.

The announcement comes as warfare is rapidly changing around the globe, particularly with the use of cheap drones in Ukraine and Iran. The Pentagon also is grappling with the costs of the Iran war, which has diminished the nation’s stockpiles of advanced weapons.

Trump says he kept Ogles endorsement out of loyalty

The president tried to explain away why Rep. Andy Ogles, one of his handpicked endorsements, lost his primary in Tennessee on Thursday night.

“Last night was another good night for Endorsements, 8-1, and the 1 was a person who I remained loyal to even though he had virtually no chance of winning,” Trump wrote on social media on Friday, referring to Ogles.

Trump takes great pride in his endorsements and the mostly winning record he has in Republican primaries.

Ogles was defeated by former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. The president said Friday that Hatcher is a “Great ‘Trump’ Candidate” and that he now has his “Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Cassidy acknowledges political tightrope on Blanche vote

The senator nodded to the realities of being a Republican who doesn’t reflexively align with Trump.

“Mr. Blanche has become a referendum on how people feel about President Trump,” he said. “This process should be about Mr. Blanche.” He added, with emotion, “I’ll be criticized for this vote, but what’s new.”

Cassidy criticized Blanche for initially approving a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Jan. 6 rioters, among others, and for endorsing a tax immunity deal for Trump.

“Mr. Blanche is not perfect,” Cassidy said, before arguing essentially that Blanche is likely better than anyone else Trump could nominate.

Cassidy didn’t acknowledge Trump’s saying in an interview released Friday that he’d keep Blanche as acting attorney general if the Senate rejected him.

In either instance — Blanche’s confirmation or continuing as acting chief — the president could fire him at any point, a legal reality Cassidy glossed over in his stated reasoning.

Cassidy says confirming Blanche is better than Trump picking someone else

The Louisiana senator seemingly secured confirmation for the president’s acting attorney general after weeks of Senate wrangling.

Cassidy affirmed on the Senate floor that he still worries about Trump’s influence over the Justice Department, especially the prospects of a $1.8 billion fund for possible payouts to the president’s supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But Cassidy said, essentially, that confirming Blanche is better than allowing Trump to pick another potential Justice Department chief.

“This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” Cassidy said.

Republicans Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine had already said they wouldn’t support Blanche’s confirmation, effectively leaving his confirmation up to Cassidy.

Cassidy voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges in 2021. He lost a Republican primary earlier this year after the president endorsed his opponent.

Appeals court orders halt to White House ballroom construction

An appeals court has ruled President Trump must seek approval from Congress to build his proposed White House ballroom, saying construction must stop.

The U.S. Court of Appeals sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction. The court said it would stay its own ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,” the court wrote.

▶ Read more

Sen. Cassidy supports Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said Friday he’ll back Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to lead President Trump’s Justice Department.

The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor after Blanche’s confirmation was thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.

Blanche’s path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that’s drawn intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike.

The settlement called for the creation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who feel mistreated by the criminal justice system and provided Trump and family members with immunity from tax audits.

▶ Read more

Illinois state officials, meanwhile, suspended the license of one of the funeral home's directors, alleging bodies were being kept in an unrefrigerated area in “deplorable conditions."

The discovery came months after neighborhood residents began noticing a “stench” emanating from the funeral home, which led some to complain to the city.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said it was notified by state and local officials that bodies were being stored improperly at South Chicago Chapel, and investigators and forensic pathologists were dispatched Thursday. The remains were in various states of decomposition, officials said.

“Staff is assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates. This process could take several days to ensure proper disposition,” the medical examiner's office said in a statement, adding that family notifications will be made following the identifications.

Police said Friday that their preliminary statement on the case incorrectly said that fire department officials declared the scene a hazardous materials incident.

No arrests have been announced, but city police said detectives are investigating.

Messages for the funeral home were left by phone and through its website Friday.

Funeral home client, community advocate express dismay, frustration

Later Friday, a small number of residents and people seeking information about their deceased loved ones gathered in front of the brick-walled funeral home, which is on a South Chicago street lined with trees, homes and businesses.

Latasha Johnson, 55, said her mother's funeral was held at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday before authorities arrived and she later heard of their gruesome discovery. She said authorities told her that her mother's body would have to undergo an autopsy and she would have to identify the remains in a day or two.

“I’m discombobulated,” she said. “My heart is broken.”

Blaise Von Bruchhaeuser, who described herself as a community advocate for the neighborhood, said it was upsetting that complaints about a terrible odor had been made for months before the decomposing bodies were found.

State business records show that funeral director Johanna Morgan incorporated South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022 and her funeral director's license was temporarily suspended on Wednesday.

The state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said the license suspension was due to “a finding that Respondent’s continued practice is a danger to the public safety, interest and welfare due to Respondent allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions including rodent infestation, causing decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies.”

The state business records also list Clark Morgan, who state officials say is Johanna Morgan's husband, as the funeral home's president. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said Clark Morgan's funeral director license was revoked in 2024 for practicing with an expired license and “unprofessional conduct” that it did not specify.

Funeral home owners also ran crematory that was shut down by the state

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Friday that Johanna and Clark Morgan previously ran a crematory in Chicago Heights, south of Chicago, which had its license revoked last year after authorities discovered improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains that had never been returned to their families.

“Horrified. Again,” Mendoza said in a statement. “The discovery of decomposing remains waiting to be laid to rest this week at a South Side funeral home is heartbreaking and an abomination. These are people – someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, child or friend, and they deserve better.”

Both Johanna and Clark Morgan are listed in Cook County court records as defendants in connection with lawsuits involving Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, south of Chicago.

Messages were left Friday at phone listings for the Clarks and an attorney listed in records as their business agent. Public records indicate the Clarks live in the Chicago suburb of Evergreen Park.

The case is the latest in a series of incidents involving mishandled remains over the past three years.

Last month, police arrested two men in Pueblo, Colorado, for allegedly mishandling at least two dozen decomposing bodies and other remains found behind a hidden door in a funeral home.

That followed the discovery of 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition at a funeral home in Georgia in 2024. In 2023, nearly 200 decomposing bodies were found in a building in Colorado, and another 31 decomposing bodies were discovered at an Indiana funeral home.

____

Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut. Mayes-Osterman is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Update: Missing tubers found alive and safe after dayslong search along Muskegon River

Jazmin Hock, 28, of Muskegon; Sarah Vida, 28, of Muskegon; and Kayden Kovalcik, 9, have been missing for at least 48 hours since heading out on the river from the Maple Island Boat Launch on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The investigation began when the father of one of the missing women found her car at the boat launch with the window broken out. No family members have heard from the missing individuals, and police said two inflatable tubes believed to be theirs have been located.

Previous coverage --> Inflatable tubes found as search for missing women, child on Muskegon River continues

Search teams also found footprints that are being evaluated as part of the investigation, police said.

Brent Kovalcik, the father of the missing 9-year-old, expressed his frustration as authorities continue to search for the three.

“I can’t figure out for the life of me why you wouldn’t tell your endpoint, you know?” Kovalcik said on Friday. “Like, where were you planning on being? We knew that you started here, but where were you going after that?”

“I don’t know if they’re alive, I don’t know if they were kidnapped, I don’t know if they’re down the river, far, far away,” Kovalcik continued.

State police are asking the public to avoid the area as search operations continue and noted it will seek the public’s assistance if needed.

In the meantime, police are asking anyone who may have spotted the three individuals or has any information that could assist investigators to reach out to the Michigan State Police Hart Post at 231-873-2171 or the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office at 231-689-7303.

In that virtual visit on Jan. 23, 2023, the Massachusetts mother appeared depressed, said she felt no motivation and reported bouts of heart-racing anxiety, psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Tufts told jurors. But she said Clancy gave no indication of hearing voices that, according her defense, commanded her the next day to take her children's lives so she could end her own.

“Did she tell you that she was planning to kill the children?” prosecutor Jennifer Sprague asked.

“No,” Tufts replied. “Absolutely not.”

Clancy's psychiatric treatment is a key chapter in both the prosecution and defense narratives about her mental state when she strangled the children in their suburban home and then jumped out a second-story window.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

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In questioning Tufts and a different psychiatrist who treated Clancy during a five-day hospital stay in early January 2023, prosecutors underscored that the defendant denied wanting to hurt anyone else or planning to kill herself. Clancy's lawyer, meanwhile, aimed to flesh out the defense's claim that various providers didn't properly diagnose her and put her on a series of medications that left her worse off.

Clancy has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the strangling deaths of Callan, Dawson and Cora Clancy, who ranged from 8 months to 5 years old. They were found in the basement of the family's home in coastal Duxbury, Massachusetts, and their mother was lying, badly injured, in the yard. She remains paralyzed from the waist down.

Prosecutors argue that Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, was an intentional killer who attacked her children after getting her husband out of the house by asking him to run errands. The defense doesn't dispute that she killed the children but says she was so mentally ill that she shouldn't be held criminally responsible.

In the criminal trial and a medical malpractice lawsuit, Clancy's attorneys say she had bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis — a break with reality that a small fraction of women have after childbirth.

When Clancy first sought care

Tufts first saw Clancy in September 2022. Consulting her notes on the witness stand Friday, she recalled that Clancy reported feeling anxious, “overwhelmed” by caring for the three children and worried about infant Callan's refusal to bottle-feed. Her maternity leave was set to end, though she would go on to extend it.

Tufts diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder and an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and she recommended therapy and an antidepressant. It became the first in a constantly-remixed cocktail of drugs that Tufts and others prescribed as Clancy reported increasing symptoms, complained of side effects and questioned whether the pills were making her worse.

Clancy's malpractice suit argues that her mounting anxiety and sleeplessness after that first antidepressant were a reaction that signaled bipolar illness. Tufts said she considered such a diagnosis in December 2022 but that Clancy didn't meet the criteria.

Another provider, a nurse-practitioner, did consider bipolar disorder and prescribed an antipsychotic that's often used to treat it, as well as insomnia. Clancy's condition continued declining.

Clancy's stay in a psychiatric hospital

By New Year's Day 2023, Clancy checked herself into McLean Hospital, a prominent psychiatric facility. Clancy said she felt numb and expressed concerns about depending on the antipsychotic to sleep, hospital psychiatrist Dr. Alia Goodheart testified Friday. She diagnosed Clancy with insomnia with a mental health condition and tapered down the drug.

Clancy then reported she could sleep, was eager to go home in time for a long-planned belated birthday party for Cora, and booked herself follow-up outpatient care, the psychiatrist testified. The hospital discharged her that Jan. 5 with prescriptions for an antianxiety drug and a sleep aid.

“She had never stated that she had any thoughts of harming anybody else,” Goodheart told jurors. And although Clancy said she'd had suicidal thoughts, she denied having them in the moment and indeed said she had reasons not to take her own life: “her children and her family, her mother,” Goodheart recalled.

Clancy saw Tufts, her original outpatient psychiatrist, by video four more times that January. At their last appointment, Tufts adjusted her medication dosages. She saw no reason to order Clancy to be hospitalized, she said.

Defense lawyer Kevin Reddington hasn't yet had his turn to question Tufts. But in questioning Goodheart, he emphasized that the hospital care team didn't do various tests — Goodheart said they weren't necessary — or learn that Clancy had called a suicide hotline that fall. Nor did the providers talk to her outpatient clinicians.

“She was very sick, wasn’t she?” Reddington asked at one point.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Goodheart responded.

If convicted of murder, Clancy faces life in prison without parole. If found not guilty due to a lack of criminal responsibility, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.

“They’re good at selling dreams, and it’s a lot of people that move in on these dreams,” Morales said on Friday. “Two years later, and they’re like, ‘Well, what happened?’”

Morales has lived in the building, which is across the street from the Renaissance Center, since November 2024, and she’s seen everything from rats in the lobby to roaches in the apartments to numerous security breaches.

“When I first reported about the rats, when I first heard them through the ceiling tiles, they tried to convince me that that was a sound of construction,” Morales said. “I don’t know about you, but nobody’s doing construction at 4 a.m. on a Saturday when you’re coming home from the bar.”

“One time, I was waiting on an elevator, and a literal maggot fell in my hair,” Morales added. “

Morales has also had to deal with a violent, unstable neighbor harassing her and her dog, describing an incident where the woman started smashing her door with a 2x4.

The building has been run by the Southfield-based management company Village Green since December 2024.

Morales says she has spent more than a year trying to get answers about the vermin and the violence from the company and has been stonewalled.

“I’ve had instances where someone has urinated in front of my front door,” Morales said. “I’ve had other instances where someone tried to forcibly enter my apartment, and I had to press my body against the door until the police came.”

“I’ve filed four complaints to Detroit’s BSEED department,” Morales said. “I know that many other residents have as well, and because of those complaints I am currently facing some retaliation.”

Morales enlisted the help of the Detroit Tenants Union and has been attempting to rally other residents to unionize. She even went door-to-door trying to drum up support.

“During the door knock we did the other day, we actually knocked on a resident’s door who was fighting off a rat in her home at that moment,” Steven Rimmer, the executive director of the Detroit Tenants Union, said. “We have ordinances and laws that protect us, but like you heard from Allanah, she doesn’t feel protected in this situation”

Morales and the Union have reached out to the city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) about the issues in the building, and the city says they have issued corrective action to Village Green.

“Tenants should reach out to us after they have filed a complaint with the management company to put in a service request for issues within their unit and within the building,” Arthur Rushin, BSEED’s executive director, said. “If it’s something that’s a life and safety issue, such as rats indoors, then we will generally issue a correction order on emergency items in three days.”

“We did issue an emergency correction order, and they did hire an extermination company,” Rushin said. “However, we issued another ticket because they did not move fast enough.”

Tickets from BSEED can range from $250 to $1,000 and can multiply over time.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to our community, the property continues to undergo planned improvement projects and routine preventative maintenance, including regular pest-control services. We remain focused on maintaining the property to a high standard and supporting a positive living experience for all residents.”

Village Green

Rushin said if the company does not improve these conditions, the matter will be referred to the city’s law department.

A spokeswoman for Village Green also says the eviction notice Morales received is over a rent issue and not due to retaliation. Morales says that she has kept her rent in escrow until the issues are fully resolved.

“They’re trying their best to make us scared and silent,” Morales said. “I’m not going for it.”

The justices in a 5-4 decision in June said Cook, who was nominated to the Fed’s Board of Governors by President Joe Biden, could remain in her post at least as long as her lawsuit challenging her firing goes on. The Trump administration is appealing a lower-court ruling in Cook’s favor.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a footnote in his opinion that nothing forbids President Donald Trump from “trying again” to fire Cook provided she is given proper notice and a chance to contest it. Trump indicated after the opinion that he would do just that, vowing to “take appropriate action immediately.”

In a letter this week obtained by The Associated Press, White House aide Dan Scavino told Cook that Trump was “considering removing you from your position” but cited the Supreme Court's requirement of proper notice in giving her until August 26 to challenge it.

The attempt to fire Cook is rooted in a criminal referral made last August by Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, that accused her of committing mortgage fraud by declaring two different homes – one in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and one in Atlanta – as “primary residence.’’ Homebuyers can get lower mortgage rates or smaller down payments on their primary homes compared to second or vacation homes.

Cook has aggressively defended herself against the allegations, saying the president had attempted to oust her “on a manufactured pretext because I refused to bow to political pressure and continued to set interest rates based only on what would best serve the American people.’’

Her lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued in a November letter that Cook has mostly lived in the Ann Arbor property since first purchasing it in 2005. As a result, it was accurate for her to refer to it as her “primary residence” in a June 2021 application to refinance its mortgage, the letter said.

A month later, she purchased a condominium in Atlanta and, in a July 2021 document, also referred to it as her “primary residence.” Lowell said that it was an “isolated notation” that did not reflect an intent to defraud. An earlier mortgage application to the same lender in May 2021 had referred to the Atlanta condo as a “vacation home,” Lowell said. Cook also referred to it as a second home in federal filings during her confirmation process to become a Fed governor.

The latest White House letter largely rehashes the year-old allegations.

“These allegations are as baseless now as they were a year ago when President Trump tried to remove Governor Cook and interfere with the independence of the Federal Reserve,” Lowell said in a statement.

“No matter what President Trump tries to do next, this much is clear under the facts and Supreme Court precedent — there is no valid cause for removing Governor Cook. As we did before, we will challenge this latest pretext and preserve her position and the historic role of the Fed,” he added.

WAYNE COUNTY – Outdoor injuries, strep throat, stomach viruses, cyclosporiasis, asthma flare-ups

Dr. Kelly Levasseur -- Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan

“We still are still seeing a bunch of strep throat, and still some vomiting/diarrhea illness. A little bit of it is cyclospora, but most of it is viral gastroenteritis. But injuries – we’re seeing so many scooter and electric bike injuries! Wear helmets, please! And teach your kids how to drive them. They’re running into cars, being run over by cars and running into each other. We’ve seen all kinds of injuries from them: some minor scrapes and abrasions, broken bones, some terrible head injuries and internal injuries. There are also common summertime injuries: falls off monkey bars, playing and tripped and fell. But we’ve really seen a jump in injuries from motorized scooters and bikes.”

Dr. Glen Clark -- Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital

“We are still seeing cases of diarrhea, including some confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, although many individuals are presenting out of concern rather than illness. We are also continuing to see asthma exacerbations, but at lower rates than during periods when wildfire smoke was more prevalent.”

OAKLAND COUNTY – Seasonal allergies, upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, strep throat, ear infections

Dr. Rena Daiza

Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Twp.

“We’re seeing an increase in seasonal allergy symptoms this week, including sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, and runny noses. To help reduce symptoms, keep windows closed on high pollen days, shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors, and consider using a daily antihistamine (such as cetirizine or loratadine) or a steroid nasal spray if needed. If your symptoms are severe, persistent or causing trouble breathing, please seek medical advice.”

Dr. Matthew Compton -- Chief of Emergency Medicine, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township

“We’re still seeing some cases of infectious diarrheal illness, although significantly fewer. Also, we have experienced a significant decrease in asthma/emphysema cases with the improvement in air quality. We’re beginning to see some increase in upper respiratory infection cases, as well as the continuation of summertime injuries in the young and old alike.”

Dr. Rachel M. Klamo -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Glennan Primary Care

“Patients with cyclosporiasis symptoms continue to be common. We are also seeing more cases of tennis elbow, lumbar and cervical strains and poison oak, which are all common issues related to working outdoors.”

Dr. Adam Haezebrouck -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Rochester

“We have been seeing a slight uptick in COVID-related visits as of late.”

Walled Lake MinuteClinic -- Denise Neubauer, MinuteClinic NP

•In Walled Lake, we’re seeing an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly diarrhea, with some cases raising suspicion for Cyclospora, as well as an increase in ear infections.

•To help reduce your risk of gastrointestinal illness, wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly, practice good hand hygiene, and stay well hydrated if you become ill.

•Ear infections are also common this time of year and can sometimes develop after swimming or following a viral illness. Persistent ear pain, drainage, or fever should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Farmington Hills MinuteClinic -- Kim Page, MinuteClinic NP

•In Farmington Hills, we’re seeing an increase in strep throat and a high volume of sports physicals as families prepare for the upcoming school sports season.

•If your child plans to participate in athletics, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule their sports physical. Bringing any required school forms to the appointment can help ensure they’re ready for the season.

WASHTENAW COUNTY – Gastrointestinal illnesses, croup, sore throats, outdoor injuries, strep throat, poison ivy, bug bites

Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine

“We have been seeing lots of GI illness—belly pain, vomiting, secondary dehydration—not related to cyclosporiasis. We have also seen croup, sore throat/viral illness, some burns and lots of orthopedic trauma, some burns.”

Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine

“We continue to see a few cases of GI illness this week in the adult ED. Minimal URI and respiratory complaints this week.”

Ann Arbor MinuteClinic -- Lindsi Shaw, MinuteClinic Regional Quality Lead & FNP

•In Ann Arbor, we’re seeing more skin complaints, including poison ivy and insect bites, along with an increase in strep throat.

•When spending time outdoors, wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and wash exposed skin after possible contact with poison ivy.

•If you develop a sore throat with fever, swollen glands, or pain with swallowing, consider being evaluated for strep throat. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and reduce the spread to others.

MONROE COUNTY – Upper respiratory viruses, seasonal allergies, asthma & COPD flare-ups, gastrointestinal illnesses, Norovirus

Dr. Laura Grima -- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency

“For the past week, we have continued to see increased levels of viral upper respiratory infections, asthma and COPD exacerbations, and allergic rhinitis in both children and adults. These conditions may be related to seasonal changes as well as the recent increase in smoke from wildfires. We have also seen a slight uptick in viral gastroenteritis, including illnesses such as norovirus. The incidence of cyclosporiasis appears to be decreasing. Overall, our recommendations remain the same: continue washing your hands regularly, especially as children transition back to school.”

MACOMB COUNTY – Outdoor injuries, strep throat

Dr. Erin Cuddeback -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb

“There has been a very noticeable uptick in the volume of patients seeking care after traumatic injuries, most notably orthopedic injuries suffered during activities, falls, and motor vehicle and boating accidents. While not a trending condition, there have been several pediatric patients treated for strep throat, which is unseasonable for this time of year.”

LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Cyclosporiasis, seasonal allergies, outdoor injuries, bee stings

Dr. Bashar Yalldo -- Henry Ford Byron Family Medicine- Howell

“We are continuing to see patients with symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and we have seen some more positive test results there as well. We are also seeing a rise in patients experiencing seasonal allergies.”

Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department and the Brighton Medical Center

“Diarrhea cases remain present but have decreased considerably compared to recent weeks. Meanwhile, bee stings have been common this past week, and our teams are continuing to care for patients involved in bicycle, moped, and ATV accidents.”

Here’s a look at developments across the Middle East on Friday. Full coverage can be found here.

Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia sign a mutual defense agreement

Oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear power Pakistan and Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense industry, signed a mutual defense agreement on Friday.

The deal stipulates that an armed attack on either of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against them all. It was signed during a meeting in Saudi Arabia between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's foreign ministry said.

“The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression,” the ministry said in a statement.

The deal comes at a time when Saudi Arabia, whose critical infrastructure and oil facilities have come under attack as part of the war in Iran, has been looking to diversify its defense partnerships.

US would end blockade if an acceptable Strait of Hormuz deal emerges, official says

If an acceptable deal is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump would end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as long as the terms of the agreement are respected, a U.S. official said Friday.

The administration has been told by regional mediators that a deal between Iran and Oman on the crucial waterway could be finalized in the coming days, the official said. The U.S. would study whatever comes from the Iran-Oman talks before taking a position.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, reiterated that the U.S. would not accept any agreement that allows Iran to charge tolls or service fees or otherwise interfere with ships.

— By Matthew Lee in Washington

Houthi rebels blamed for attack on eastern Yemen

Iran-backed Houthis launched attacks on Marib province in eastern Yemen on Friday morning, in the latest escalation with Saudi-backed forces, a military official with the forces in Marib said.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media, said the missiles were fired from west of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Qassem Bahaibah, health minister in Yemen’s internationally recognized government, said in a statement on social media that the attacks targeted a refugee camp and residential areas, killing at least two people and injuring 14 others.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement late Friday that the rebel group targeted a Saudi-backed military camp in Marib, using drones and missiles to destroy storage facilities and military equipment. He added that the rebel group will target any Saudi-supported troop buildup or allied groups meant to keep the Saudi blockade on Yemen.

Separately, the rebel group struck the Najran region in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the Yemeni border on Thursday, the official spokesperson of the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, confirmed in a statement on X overnight.

He said the attack wounded 11 civilians, including a woman and a child who suffered second-degree burns, and accused the rebels of carrying out “indiscriminate shelling against civilian objects.”

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack on Najran in Saudi Arabia.

The attacks mark a major escalation since a truce in 2022 largely halted fighting. The civil war pits the Iran-backed Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition allied with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

— By Ahmed Al-Haj in Aden, Yemen and Fatma Khaled in Cairo

Israeli strike wounds Lebanese soldier

The Lebanese army said the soldier was lightly wounded on Friday while he was in a bulldozer opening roads in the southern village of Mansouri.

Mansouri was subjected to Israeli shelling earlier this week, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The Israeli army launched strikes Wednesday in southern Lebanon in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire and called on residents of Mansouri to flee — the first such warning Israel has issued in Lebanon for weeks.

That's not necessarily a surprise given Mahomes underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee in December.

Mahomes has been ahead of schedule in his rehab work ever since the injury, though, participating in the entire offseason program before reporting to training camp on time. He was given the all-clear late last month by Dallas-based surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, who performed the procedure, to participate in practices without any restrictions.

“There's a pretty good chance I don't play him,” Reid said. “Percentages are leaning that way. I don't know if I will play him the second or third game — I don't know that — but percentages probably lean against doing that.”

On one hand, Mahomes hardly needs the work given his experience. On the other hand, the competitive nature of the quarterback may be enough to convince Reid to put him on the field at least for a couple of snaps in the second game against Tampa Bay.

Mahomes has said he's looking forward to taking his first real hit to feel fully back to football.

The Chiefs have no shortage of quarterbacks in need of preseason work. They traded with the Jets for veteran Justin Fields to serve as their primary backup, and he could use some game experience in the new offense. So could Garrett Nussmeier, the once-heralded LSU quarterback, whom they chose in the seventh round of the draft as a project.

“We've got new people ... behind (Mahomes) that need some work,” Reid said. “The more reps they get, the better.”

The Chiefs, who have another practice Saturday before taking Sunday off, have a number of players missing due to injuries.

The latest to join the list was two-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith, who was examined by a hip specialist as a precaution after it started to bother him this week. Reid downplayed the severity of the injury, saying “he's going to be OK.”

In fact, none of the other injuries appear to be long-term problems. Defensive end Ashton Gillotte has a hamstring strain, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa a groin injury, linebacker Drue Tranquill some back pain and wide receiver Xavier Worthy a shoulder issue, while defensive back L'Jarius Sneed continues to manage a knee problem and cornerback Mansoor Delane a shoulder injury.

Wide receiver Cyrus Allen, the Chiefs' fifth-round pick who had been turning some heads, was back at practice for the first time since bruising his shin during Monday's workout. But he was held out of drills that involved contact with the defense.

“He did a good job when he was back in there, so that's a positive,” Reid said. “He's at all the meetings. He's focused in. He wants to get out there. He doesn't want to miss. He's been working hard. We'll just ease him back in, like I said.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

After years of delays, ICE said its field officers nationwide will have body-worn cameras by the end of September. The rollout comes after recent fatal shootings by officers enforcing President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown have intensified pressure for accountability that the cameras could provide.

But the agency's body-worn camera policy could mean taxpayers who are pitching in tens of millions of dollars to pay for the cameras may be kept in the dark about some high-profile confrontations, at least in their immediate aftermath.

The policy says ICE will promptly release video of shootings and other encounters in which its agents cause death or serious injury only after determining “it is in the best interests of the agency” to do so. That gives its director discretion to release recordings that reflect well on the agency’s image while working to keep others secret, experts on body camera policies said.

Such selective releases are routine in some law enforcement agencies but usually not so clearly contemplated in policy, according to professor Christopher Schneider of Brandon University in Canada, a co-author of the book “Police Body-Worn Cameras: Media and the New Discourse of Police Reform.”

“In some ways, ICE is saying the quiet part out loud,” he said. “Body-worn cameras are being used as contemporary image-work tools to present the police to the public in the most favorable way possible.”

Body camera policy allows withholding some video

ICE's policy requires officers to activate cameras during routine enforcement activities, including while making arrests, executing search warrants and responding to emergencies.

After shootings or other serious confrontations, a committee that includes top ICE officials and lawyers will review footage and recommend whether to release it promptly, according to the policy issued in February 2025.

If the answer is yes, the recording could be released within 72 hours. But if ICE's director finds “specific and compelling circumstances” justify withholding the video, they have the authority to block or indefinitely delay the release, the policy says.

The policy does not elaborate on such circumstances, and ICE did not respond to a question from The Associated Press about how it would make such decisions.

Practices vary widely in the U.S. In Chicago, a police watchdog agency routinely releases video of shootings and other serious use-of-force incidents within 60 days. In Philadelphia, the police department very rarely uses its discretion to release video and has no policy for when to do so.

Even when footage is released, ICE’s policy will require redacting all officers’ identifying features such as faces, names and badge numbers to preserve their privacy.

Schneider, who has studied body cameras since their use began spreading a decade ago, said he does not expect ICE to release footage of fatal shootings like those last month.

He noted ICE’s sister agency, Customs and Border Protection, has not released footage of the January shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis even though it was captured on agents’ cameras. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott told lawmakers in February that the video and other materials were under investigation and would be made public “when it’s appropriate.”

Katherine Hawkins, senior legal analyst at the nonprofit Project On Government Oversight, said that while it’s better to have body-worn camera footage than not — because courts could demand it for review — ICE's policy makes such recordings “virtually useless.”

“Without any clear way for the public to get access to it, it doesn’t do much good,” she said Friday. “It’s not unheard of for agencies to delay or withhold or selectively edit footage at all, but to say that explicitly just really gives the game away.”

ICE says all officers are getting cameras

ICE spent $30.9 million in July to purchase body camera equipment from Axon, the Arizona-based company that also manufactures Tasers, federal records show.

The spending began one day after the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old motorist in Maine by an ICE officer with a history of violent behavior. Days earlier, another ICE officer shot and killed a Houston homebuilder driving to work.

Neither shooting was recorded with body cameras. That angered members of Congress, who had given ICE $20 million to purchase body cameras in a bill passed to end a partial government shutdown on April 30.

ICE said body cameras have been sent to more than half its field officers and the rest will receive them by the end of September. That timeline pushes back estimates from earlier public statements.

ICE officers working in the Houston area, where the agency sent more than 800 cameras, are among those who have started training, said U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat and member of the House Appropriations Committee.

At least one member of every arrest team will be required to have a camera, the agency said.

“I think the American people need to see what that officer sees and hears,” White House border czar Tom Homan said July 19 on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “And if you look at the data, body cameras actually exonerate agents more than they, you know, provide evidence of wrongdoing.”

Releasing body-worn camera footage is in the interest of both officers and the community because it can provide context for officers’ actions, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington-based think tank.

“The community has a right to know, and very often it helps put the actions of the agents in some perspective,” he said Friday, adding that ICE could "go a long way in building credibility with the larger community by being more transparent.”

Schneider said he expects ICE to release recordings that promote the agency’s mass deportation program by portraying officers as brave and immigrants as criminals.

“Much of what law enforcement does is convince the public that we need them and feel safe and they do all this good stuff for us,” he said. “The more bad stuff the public sees, the more angry the public gets.”

ICE has taken years to adopt cameras

ICE began testing body cameras in 2021 during President Joe Biden's administration and distributed 1,400 devices three years later, saying use would expand as funding became available.

After returning to office in 2025, President Donald Trump rescinded a Biden order requiring federal law enforcement agencies to use body cameras.

ICE did not buy body cameras even after it received a historic $75 billion infusion in 2025 and began hiring thousands of new officers. The July purchases from Axon were made through an existing government contract that began in 2023, records show.

“This is not hard to deploy, but they’ve slow-rolled it,” said Jason Houser, who was ICE chief of staff under Biden and helped implement the agency’s pilot program.

Houser said the Trump administration should have equipped officers with body cameras when it expanded mass arrests and traffic stops. Doing so only after several shootings and pressure from Congress “is clearly a political response” that will not make officers or the public safer, he said.

“This doesn’t fix the problem of putting officers in a place where they’re not trained or equipped to carry out the style of operations that the administration is asking them to do,” he said.

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AP reporter Valerie Gonzalez contributed to this report.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said the 29-year-old basketball player's death was accidental.

Clarke was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on May 11. A person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press after the Grizzlies announced Clarke’s passing that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The person had spoken on condition of anonymity because those details had not been released publicly.

Clarke was under contract to be with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season.

About six weeks before he died, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. He was with Memphis for all seven of his pro seasons after finishing his college career at Gonzaga.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge’s multi-use path opened Wednesday morning to pedestrians and cyclists, giving people the chance to walk or bike across the international span for the first time.

Hundreds of people lined up on the Detroit side of the border, hoping to be among the first to make the crossing.

Three years ago, Amanda Ray started the Gordie Howe International Bike Club Facebook group to share information about the multi-use path and build a community of cyclists on both sides of the border.

The group has since grown to more than 3,500 members.

I joined Ray and other members of the group Wednesday morning for the inaugural crossing.

We met at Historic Fort Wayne and took the short ride to the bridge entrance on Jefferson Avenue.

“The motto of today is just roll with it,” Ray said.

And that’s exactly what we did.

By late morning, the bridge reached capacity on the U.S. side, and officials temporarily paused additional pedestrians and cyclists from entering until noon.

While waiting in line, I met Marcell Glover, who planned to run across the bridge with a friend.

“For us to be able to connect, walk, cycle and run this — it’s a great opportunity, so I had to come out here,” Glover said.

Karen Dunnam traveled from Grand Rapids for opening day, spending the night in Windsor so she could be among the first people to cross from Canada into the United States.

I met her after she cleared customs on the U.S. side and asked if the wait was worth it.

Dunnam said it was.

“It was really fun. People were stopping to take photos. There are some great views,” she said.

We made it through the entrance to the bridge around noon and began the climb up.

Riding across the bridge, I was in awe of the beauty, and I thought of the men and women who worked on it for years.

The path is a single lane that accommodates two-way pedestrian and cyclist traffic.

It’s 1.5 miles long with a 5% grade. Total travel distance between the two border inspection booths is 1.8 miles one way.

Expect a 20-minute crossing by bike or 45 minutes on foot, one way, not including border processing time.

The same travel documents required for a vehicle crossing apply here.

The multi-use path is free.

It was an amazing experience — one I plan to repeat with my family.

Watch the extended video below

“On average sometimes, it can take 12-18 months for a company that wants to go test a thing that can make a soldier’s life better, that can increase their lethality and can keep them safer,” said U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. “That is not sufficient.”

The new online platform will provide private defense companies with “concierge access” to four U.S. Army test ranges — including Camp Grayling — in hopes of streamlining the development cycle for new military products and bringing them to market faster.

The other three domestic military sites named include Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, Miss., the Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Ariz., and the Dugway Proving Ground in Salt Lake City, Utah — though Driscoll said the overall goal of the program is to extend the defense industry’s access to all U.S. test ranges.

“Our goal and what we will publicly hold ourselves accountable to is, within 30 days of a request, a company that is capable of getting to a range will get access to either one of our domestic ranges, or one of our international ranges abroad,” Driscoll said.

Through the online portal, testrange.army.mil, eligible companies will be paired with a live representative who can assist with the necessary paperwork to test products at a participating range site and help determine which site is ideal.

In addition to the four domestic test ranges announced on Friday, Sec. Driscoll says the Army is partnering with the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center in Tan-Tan, Morocco, which hosted its first successful product test with U.S. defense contractor Covenant Industries Inc. last month.

“What we the Army are trying to do is break down every single barrier that we have put up over the last 20 or 30 years,” Driscoll said. “We are inviting the industry to get in the mud with our soldiers to innovate, to invest behind them; and then our commitment as an Army is, we will purchase the things that will make our soldiers more lethal, more safe and will keep our country safer.”

At a press briefing on Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state is ready “to work with anyone, and compete with everyone” to build on the progress Michigan has made in the military technology space, calling it “a big day for Michigan.”

“We’re excited for this designation, and we are absolutely committed to being a great partner moving forward on this and any other opportunities and needs that the DOW has,” she said.

The news was shared amid one of the Department of War’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, Northern Strike (NS) 26-2, which kicked off Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 14 at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center.

The multi-domain training exercise brings more than 9,000 military personnel from 36 states and territories to the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) at Camp Grayling.

“The character of warfare continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and our training must evolve with it,” said Col. Todd Fitzpatrick, land exercise director for Northern Strike. “...Every training event is designed to strengthen interoperability, accelerate innovation and ensure our forces are prepared for the missions they’ll face tomorrow.”

“We can win here, and we're going to,” said Colom, the Democratic nominee who's trying to unseat Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith as she seeks her second full term.

That could be typical candidate bravado, and Republicans say he has little chance. But Colom is drawing attention for a potentially competitive campaign, a reflection of a wider Senate map than either party envisioned at the midpoint of Donald Trump's second presidency.

That means the list of notable races now goes beyond obvious battlegrounds like Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan and Georgia and even the once-surprising contests like Ohio and Texas.

Democrats must pick up at least four new seats to win the majority — and more than that if they lose any they currently hold. That includes Michigan, where Republicans are feeling more confident since progressive Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination this week.

“We can’t spare a single seat,” Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks said in an interview while she was in Mississippi on Colom's behalf.

She said Democrats have an opportunity to be competitive in more places because of voter angst over an uneven, inflationary economy.

“They cannot afford their groceries," she said. "They cannot afford the cost of gas. They cannot afford housing. It’s all over the country.”

Republicans remain confident they can hold power, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune even said in a recent fundraising email that an expanded map could backfire on Democrats.

“By scrambling the Democrats, we’ll spread their resources thin, making it nearly impossible for them to flip the seats they need to take the majority,” he wrote to donors.

Here's a look at four wildcard contests could make headlines in November and help flip Senate control.

Mississippi

Colom would be his state's first Black senator since Reconstruction — the 12-year period after the U.S. Civil War when the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were adopted. He'd also be Mississippi's first new Democratic senator since the 1940s. (Those lawmakers were Jim Crow segregationists who were first elected before white Southerners shifted to the Republican Party.)

Now a district attorney, Colom needs a fundraising uptick to introduce himself to voters and attack Hyde-Smith on the airwaves. Mississippi remains small enough that retail campaigning still matters, while television ads remain much less expensive than in places like Texas, where James Talarico is running against Ken Paxton.

The Mississippi governor’s 2023 race was decided by 3 percentage points. To close the gap, Colom would need to increase Mississippi's usual Black turnout by a few percentage points and get a larger share of the white vote than Democrats typically do. He insists he can do both in part because of Hyde-Smith's unfailing loyalty to Trump and policies that have saddled Mississippi farmers with tariffs, consumers with higher gas prices and made it harder for Mississippians to have health insurance.

Hyde-Smith, first appointed and then elected in 2018, is using a familiar playbook of portraying her Democratic opponent as too liberal for Mississippi.

Notably, Mississippi requires a majority to win a statewide election. With minor candidates on the ballot, there's a scenario where Colom pulls an upset or at least forces a runoff.

Iowa

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst opted against a reelection bid, and it's always easier to flip an open seat than defeat an incumbent.

Democrats nominated state lawmaker and wheelchair basketball star Josh Turek, 47, while Republicans opted for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, 43, who has Trump's endorsement.

Iowa has moved rightward in the Trump era, especially in small towns and rural areas. But it wasn't that long ago that voters here sent Barack Obama on his way to the presidency and elected a bipartisan congressional delegation that included liberal stalwart Tom Harkin in the Senate. Even in the 2018 midterms, during Trump's first presidency, Democrats won three out of four U.S. House seats.

They've since flipped to Republicans. But now the most conservative areas in Iowa — those centered around the agricultural economy — feel the pinch of the president's tariff rollercoaster. Combined with Trump's unpopularity with college-educated voters and the liberal tilt of urban places like Des Moines and Iowa City, the electoral math could look more like 2008 or 2018 than 2024.

And Obama, who's been sparing in his endorsements so far this year, has endorsed Turek — on the basketball court.

Kansas

This is a famously Republican state in federal elections. It hasn't had a Democratic senator since the New Deal era of the 1930s. But the state has elected a Democratic governor four times since 2002.

Democratic Senate nominee Adam Hamilton hopes that voters' struggles during Trump's presidency will be enough to help him unseat Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. Hamilton has a notable biography: He's a high-profile United Methodist megachurch minister and author who has avoided partisan politics and is running for office for the first time.

“I didn’t plan to run for office. I’ve spent my life as a pastor, and I try to care for people,” the 62-year-old said in his primary victory speech.

Marshall has the state's fundamentals on his side. But the 65-year-old also is seeking reelection for the first time after winning in 2020 with Trump at the top of the ticket.

Nebraska

There is no Democrat in this race, at least officially. But national Democrats back independent Dan Osborn, a former labor union chief, as their choice to unseat Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts.

It's the second time Osborn and Democrats have tried this approach. Osborn lost to Republican Sen. Deb Fischer by 7 points in 2024. She won all 89 Nebraska counties. But she also finished well short of Trump's 21-point gap in the presidential contest.

The thinking is that voters have experienced enough of Trump and the Capitol Hill Republicans who’ve mostly facilitated his agenda. Osborn’s labor background also stands in stark contrast to that of the megamillionaire Ricketts, whose billionaire father founded TD Ameritrade and whose family owns Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.

To be sure, Osborn has not said he’d caucus with Senate Democrats. But he could at least deny Republicans a seat. And like other middle America states that have moved rightward, plenty of Nebraskans remember electing moderate senators: Democrat Ben Nelson retired in 2013.

“Obviously, I’m here for another term,” Alito, 76, said in an interview published in The Wall Street Journal’s editorial section.

Discussion of Alito's future hit a fever pitch in June, when a mistake by a veteran Supreme Court reporter at National Public Radio resulted in the erroneous publication of a previously prepared retirement story.

The story was quickly retracted and the court confirmed it was inaccurate, but that did not stop the talk about what Alito might do. A retirement would likely have given Republican President Donald Trump a chance to name a fourth Supreme Court justice.

In a rare interview in his chambers, Alito also discussed the state of the court, rejecting the idea that political partisanship affects his decisions.

“I vote in every case the way I think the case should be decided,” he said. “If that means a high correlation with what Trump wants, fine. If it means zero correlation with what Trump wants, fine as well.”

His first public appearance in costume was at a local protest on March 23, 2025. Nearly a year later, on March 9, 2026, he began homeless outreach patrols.

He says he initially worried people would be uncomfortable with a masked stranger, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The classic Spider-Man look is very disarming and friendly to most everyone,” he said, adding that many people have told him his outreach has inspired them to help others.

His motivation came from two lifelong passions: Spider-Man and serving his community.

Seeing people struggling on the streets often left him feeling powerless. After getting into cosplay, he discovered the Real Life Superheroes (RLSH) community, including figures like Batman of San Jose and Crimson Fist of the Bay Area Superheroes, who showed him he could combine his love of comics with meaningful community service.

“This was something I could do to merge my love of comics and cosplay with the desire to help people in my community,” he said.

While the viral videos introduced many people to Metro Detroit’s Spider-Man, he hopes the focus stays on helping those in need—one outreach patrol at a time.

Every major index notched a second straight week of gains, which included several fresh records. It marks a strong start to August following several weak months.

The S&P 500 rose 47.68 points, or 0.6%, to 7,757.64. That topped the all-time high it set on Tuesday. The benchmark index has been on a record run throughout the year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 151.83 points, or 0.3%, to 54,036.93. That put it just short of the record it set on Wednesday. The Nasdaq composite rose 342.26 points, or 1.3%, to 26,690.62.

Technology stocks, with their big market values, did much of the heavy lifting for the broader market. They are often the heaviest weights determining the market’s direction. Nvidia jumped 2.3% and Broadcom rose 1.7%.

The bond market reacted more strongly to the weaker signal on the jobs market, which can be seen as allowing the Federal Reserve more time before raising interest rates to fight inflation.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.64% from 4.67% just prior to the jobs update. It was as low as 4.60% before recovering a bit.

The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for Fed action on interest rates, fell to 4.20% from 4.22% prior to the report's release. It was as low as 4.15% before edging back up.

“Although the stock market is likely to welcome the dovish implications of the report, investors should be wary of the future growth potential of an economy where fewer people are working,” said Peter Graf, chief investment officer at Amova Asset Management Americas, in a research note.

Overall, the report paints a dimmer picture of the jobs market, which has been one of the brighter areas of the economy amid rising inflation and worries about household spending. It included a revision to the figures for June and May that involved slashing a combined 103,000 jobs from payrolls for those months.

Eyes on the Fed's next move

The Fed has been holding interest rates steady amid worries about hotter inflation, fueled by a rise in oil prices because of the U.S. war with Iran. Wall Street expects at least one rate increase by the end of the year, with forecasts shifting for the next meeting. Expectations for a rate cut in September are down to 42%, from 55% on Thursday and from 67% a week ago, according to CME FedWatch.

A weakening jobs market could make matters more complicated for the Fed, which has to balance supporting job growth with fighting inflation. Raising interest rates can help tame inflation by slowing economic growth. A weaker jobs market, though, could become even shakier under higher interest rates as businesses find it more difficult to expand under increased borrowing rates.

Businesses, and Wall Street, prefer lower interest rates because it can help boost investments. That might bolster a weakened jobs market, but it could worsen already stubborn inflation.

Wall Street will get several important inflation updates next week. The most closely watched will be the consumer price index, or CPI, which measures costs for consumers. Wall Street expects it to show that inflation in July rose at a 3.4% rate, which would be a slight easing from the 3.5% rise in June. Inflation has held stubbornly above 3% for most of the year.

“Today’s weak payrolls print may ease the pressure on the Fed to raise rates at its September meeting, but next week’s inflation data will still likely be the deciding factor,” said Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, in a research note.

The earnings picture

The jobs report caps a week dominated mostly by corporate earnings and concerns about the ongoing U.S. war with Iran.

Corporate earnings for the second quarter are on track for the strongest growth since 2021. Nearly 90% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported their results and analysts expect profit growth of 50% overall. That has helped allay some concerns on Wall Street about whether big gains for stocks in 2026 are justified. Strong profits help support those gains in stock values.

It was a light day for earnings as companies near the close of the latest round of reports.

Airbnb jumped 17.4% following the vacation-rental company's report late Thursday that showed stronger profit and revenue for its most recent quarter than analysts expected.

Oil prices gained ground. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 1.3% to $83.55 a barrel.

Rising oil prices have been behind hotter inflation. Prices were as high as $113 per barrel at one point during the now five-month U.S. war with Iran. That raised prices for gasoline and shipping for a wide range of products. The U.S. and Iran have both said they are working on deals that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas once passed through.

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Associated Press Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

It was Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating God giving the Torah to Moses. Hallegua reached the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue where he knew he would pray alone — without a minyan, the quorum of 10 males required for a communal service there.

Hallegua is the synagogue's last local congregant — the only Jew left in Jew Town.

Across the city at the centuries-old Kadavumbagam Synagogue, Elias “Babu” Josephai remembered the “chukkunda" — fried dough balls his grandmother used to make for Shavuot.

“It wasn’t much,” he said, wiping away tears. “But at that time, it was everything."

They ache for what’s already gone and work to preserve what's left.

In the 1950s, much of the Jewish community in Kochi (historically known as Cochin), a seaport on India’s southwestern coast, immigrated to Israel. They left behind their homes, synagogues and cemeteries, including those in Jew Town, which has long-been the official name of the neighborhood.

The burden of being the last Jews

Hallegua and Josephai stayed. Now they represent the final chapter for the Cochin Jews who have lived peacefully — and without fear of antisemitism — for centuries alongside Hindu, Muslim and Christian neighbors. There are now fewer than 5,000 Jews in all of India, the world's most populous country.

But the Cochin Jewish community's complex history includes both religious freedom and internal divisions over class and colorism. Hallegua is a Paradesi Jew, the once-dominant group whose fair-skinned, Sephardic ancestors from Spain and Portugal fled the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century. They brought enslaved people with them, and their freed descendants, known as the Meshuchrarim Jews, were relegated to a lower social status and had to fight for religious equality.

Josephai is a Malabari Jew. The group's darker-skinned ancestors trace their roots back more than 2,000 years, to King Solomon’s time. They also faced past discrimination from the Paradesi community. While these divisions didn't survive after the Cochin Jews migrated to Israel and elsewhere, the bitter remnants still haunt the community's legacy.

Though Hallegua and Josephai rarely meet, both are intensely proud of their ancient heritage.

Josephai spent years resurrecting Kadavumbagam Synagogue, the last functioning Malabari house of worship. Services are rare; it's up to Josephai to light the lamps and keep the prayers going, often alone. He weeps for the past, when the synagogue was filled with people, prayers and songs.

“That will never come back,” he said.

Hallegua is the last local member of Paradesi Synagogue, which now relies on tourists and visitors to have a quorum for services.

“Quite often, I walk to the synagogue and I ask HaShem (God), why have you done this?” Hallegua said. “I never hear a response.”

Locals and global community strive to preserve history

On a recent morning, tourists crowded the Paradesi Synagogue and Synagogue Lane, the street it anchors. Former homes are now occupied by spice warehouses and stores selling antiques and handicrafts. Historically, the Jewish community played a major role in the spice trade in Kochi, a hub for black pepper, cardamom and nutmeg.

The synagogue’s entryway leads to a main hall with blue and white Chinese porcelain tile floors. Nineteenth century Belgian crystal chandeliers and colorful glass lanterns adorn the sanctuary. A carved teakwood Torah ark stands at the western wall facing Jerusalem. As in other Kochi synagogues, the women’s section is upstairs. Visitors slip off their shoes, in keeping with regional etiquette.

Synagogue trustee M.C. Praveen says his life's mission is protecting Cochin Jewish history. Praveen, a Hindu, spent his childhood in Jew Town, attending school with Hallegua's family members, eating Shabbat dinners, playing cricket near the synagogue.

“I want to make sure future generations know the history of this town and the people who lived here,” said Praveen, who seeks guidance from the community's former residents and their far-flung children.

The connections transcend geography. Trustee Shulamit Kotzer, 55, was born in Jew Town and spent vacations there after moving to Israel at age 2. She dreams of opening a hotel in the neighborhood.

“I consider Cochin not a second home, but my home,” she said.

Earlier this year, synagogue leaders opened a museum showcasing Kochi's Jewish history. It features the settlement's original deed: two copper plates bearing a Hindu king's charter from 1000 CE granting the community religious freedom.

Preservation efforts transcend religious ties

Praveen is not the only non-Jew trying to ensure the community's culture survives.

Thaha Ibrahim, a Muslim, forged a profound connection with the late Sarah Cohen, one of the neighborhood's Jewish matriarchs. He now runs her embroidery shop on Synagogue Lane. Cohen, or “Sarah aunty” as he calls her, taught him how to do Cochin Jewish embroidery.

“I'm teaching my son to do this embroidery so he can continue Sarah aunty's legacy,” he said.

Ibrahim lights Shabbat candles on Fridays and closes his shop on Saturdays. Muslim-Jewish tensions elsewhere in the world are not a deterrent, he says.

“This is not about religion, it's about human connection."

Across the city in Ernakulam, Josephai shoulders the preservation of Malabari Jewish heritage. The 12th century Kadavumbagam Synagogue, which he saved after vandals destroyed it, is tucked behind the store where he sells aquarium fish and plants. The renovated interior features hand-crafted tile and a red-and-gold Torah ark.

Josephai is proud that people of different faiths helped him rebuild. A Muslim donated the lamps, a Christian gave a Ten Commandments plaque, a Hindu foundation paid for the chandeliers.

An oil lamp hangs in front of the ark, its flame kept burning by Josephai. He also keeps the synagogue prayers going, a promise made to his grandmother after his siblings moved to Israel in 1972.

“Every Jew has a dream that his last breath should be in Israel," he said. “I believe my last breath should be inside this synagogue.”

Josephai, 70, hopes a Jewish organization will take over the synagogue, along with the library and museum he is building.

“Once I’m gone, there is no one who can tell these stories,” he said. “But this is our fate and that’s how it is.”

Thapan Dubayehudi, a Malabari Jew who moved to Vienna in 2022, called Josephai “a one-man army” keeping the history alive. He remembers sitting with Josephai as they assembled and lit hundreds of lamps in the sanctuary during Hanukkah.

“I’d carry that memory with me if God gives me 90 years of life,” he said.

A strong identity that is both Indian and Jewish

Keith Hallegua also stayed to fulfill family responsibilities.

“Never did I ever think that I would be the last Jew in Jew Town,” said Hallegua, who remained to care for his brother and mother.

His mind teems with memories. Singing the Paradesi Jewish tunes that blended Sephardic chants with local folk elements. The aroma of his mother's chili chicken. His grandmother's frantic cleaning ahead of Passover, Hallegua’s favorite season. The new clothes for Rosh Hashanah.

“That’s never going to come back,” Hallegua said.

He realizes his memories will vanish with him. It's deeply painful, and some days he wants to leave Jew Town. But he is grounded by his homeland and its history.

As he once explained, “I was born a Jew in India and I shall die in India, a Jew.”

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., introduced a resolution during a meeting Thursday recognizing the Tigers for a claim to the national title. The measure was passed with no objections; resolutions don’t have the force of law and by the chamber’s definition reflect the Senate’s “sentiments,” according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Still, it adds another odd wrinkle to college football history for a sport decided by polls and rankings decades ago before the arrival of the Bowl Championship Series or today’s College Football Playoff. Missouri hadn’t previously claimed the 1960 team as a national champion.

In an email to The Associated Press on Friday, Missouri team spokesman Dave Matter said the school is “aware" of the resolution but offered no additional comment.

Missouri went 10-1 on the field after beating Navy and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino in the Orange Bowl. The lone loss had come to “Border War” rival Kansas in a game to decide the then-Big Eight Conference title, though the league ordered the Jayhawks to forfeit for using an ineligible player because of recruiting violations.

In a past interview with the The Post-Dispatch, author Brendon Steenbergen — who wrote a book detailing that season — said: “I’ve been beating the drum to try to get the university to recognize it because I think they have as much a right as anyone in the country to be national champions in 1960.”

Minnesota was crowed champion by the AP and United Press International polls, though that took place before the Gophers lost to Washington in the Rose Bowl. The Football Writers Association of America voted Mississippi its post-bowl champion.

The Helms Athletic Foundation, created in 1936 to promote amateur athletics until dissolving in 1983, recognized Washington as its champion. Meanwhile, the Litkenhous Rating system chose Iowa with its mathematical formula utilizing scoring margins and opponent strength, according to The Athletic.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Will Rosenzweig was two weeks away from trying a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud case when a blog he had written years earlier covering a broad range of topics was publicized online by a conservative political commentator who also included a screenshot of Rosenzweig's LinkedIn account and tagged senior Justice Department officials for their awareness.

Less than three hours after the post, the lawsuit says, Rosenzweig received an email signed by then- Attorney General Pam Bondi informing him that he had been fired. The news came as Rosenzweig was out of town with his family observing the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana.

The September 2025 termination was part of a sweeping personnel purge over the last year and a half inside the Justice Department, which has fired prosecutors who worked on investigations into Trump and others seen as being against the administration's efforts.

A lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami, where Rosenzweig worked as a federal prosecutor for five years, seeks reinstatement to the job as well as backpay and a court order declaring his firing unlawful. The complaint says Rosenzweig was a highly respected prosecutor who received “consistent praise and awards" and was so highly valued in his office that he was told just weeks before his firing that he would be getting a special parking spot due to his performance.

“Will Rosenzweig was an excellent prosecutor who returned millions of dollars to the taxpayers by prosecuting healthcare fraud cases,” said a statement from his lawyers, Margaret Donovan, Daniel Fridman and Adam Fels. “Yet the Department of Justice fired him on the eve of trial because, years ago as a private citizen, he published criticisms of President Trump. Since the current Department of Justice will not stand up for the First Amendment and the American people, we will. We look forward to vindicating Will’s rights in court.”

The blog Rosenzweig had maintained had been defunct for over six years at the time of his firing and included his thoughts on travel, sports and other “apolitical, anodyne topics,” in addition to critical observations about Trump and other political candidates, the lawsuit says. The conservative commentator, Natalie Winters, who has a large online following, characterized Rosenzweig as “a rogue Trump hater” as she posted screenshots of some of his political musings, according to the complaint, which characterizes the firing as a direct assault on Rosenzweig's free speech rights.

“The Department’s conduct rests on a single premise: a citizen must forever refrain from criticizing the government and its leaders to remain eligible to serve it,” the lawsuit says. “That rule would force every American who might one day serve to choose between speaking freely now and working for the government later. Conditioning public employment on political loyalty, where a party card rather than merit opens the door to a government job, is a way of life in Havana and Caracas. It has no place here.”

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

The story of heroism told by police for the first time adds to the list of at least three more people who confronted the gunman with their own weapons as well as numerous others who rushed to comfort victims.

“What happened here was violent, frightening and deeply traumatic,” Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said during a news conference.

The video revealed more details of the chaotic scene last weekend. The gunman walked up to the drive-thru window four times and opened fire, killing an In-N-Out employee, police said.

Ten people were shot — inside the restaurant, directly outside, on an adjacent busy road and at a car charging station in a Twin Falls visitors center lot, Hicks said.

He said investigators still don’t have a motive for the shooting. The gunman, Chad Williams, 24, killed himself.

It should have been a “normal Saturday afternoon,” Hicks said. “Employees showing up for work. Visitors coming to see our beautiful city. Instead they were confronted with chaos, fear and now loss.”

A man who encountered the gunman is a ‘hero’

As the shooting unfolded, employees from nearby stores fled to a walking trail. When the gunman headed to the trail, he came across two people, including one with his hands in the air talking to him, according to the video.

That man distracted the gunman from possibly pursuing others on the trail. Williams subsequently killed himself as police closed in. His body was found near a canyon.

“To that young man, you are a hero,” Hicks said. “Your courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm. This community is grateful for you, and we will never forget what you did that day.”

Hicks also praised the work of an off-duty state trooper, who shot at Williams from inside the restaurant, and former police officer A.J. James, who was wounded while confronting him. Authorities previously credited an armed civilian who fired back and diverted Williams from the restaurant.

An off-duty officer helps the wounded

James ran toward the sound of gunfire from the drive-thru window, while the off-duty officer inside the In-N-Out exchanged gunfire with Williams through the window and directed workers out of the building, Hicks said.

He acted “heroically and unbelievably” to try to slow down the shooter, the police chief said, declining to release the off-duty officer's name.

Braxton Steube said he was the person who encountered Williams on the trail after fleeing a Dick's Sporting Good store.

“I said, ‘I have a family.’ I said, ‘You don’t have to do this. I’ll tell you whatever you want. I’ll do anything,'” Steube told KMVT-TV. “He started to like tear up a bit, it seemed. And he said to me, ‘Just get away from me, man.’”

Steube said the gunman shot at him and missed.

The Twin Falls In-N-Out, 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Boise, the state capital, had opened in July as part of the chain’s expansion into Idaho.

Police identified those killed as Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho.

Williams had briefly attended the College of Southern Idaho and previously lived in Arizona.

The bipartisan legislation, which passed 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports seeking to deprive Putin of revenues fueling the war. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol last week following Graham’s funeral, met with senators from both parties and watched from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes.

“Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine — and Putin is watching from Moscow,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who had worked with the late South Carolina senator on the package.

“I would like to think Lindsey Graham is watching, too,” he said. “Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And today we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine.”

The sweeping show of force from the Senate is the most substantial move yet during President Donald Trump’s second term to shift the dynamic of the four-year war, which has now churned longer than World War I. Congress has struggled to ensure the flow of U.S. funding and munitions to Ukraine, but Trump has given a nod to the package, which includes his push for sanctions on Iran, pressuring the House to pass and send it for his signature.

Graham and Blumenthal had announced a deal with the White House on the sanctions legislation on July 10 after more than a year of negotiations with the White House. Graham, who had just returned from Ukraine, died suddenly the next day, likely from an aortic tear.

The bipartisan package allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. It provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.

The legislation also includes sanctions on Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions and Russian energy projects. It would expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues. The bill also allows the White House to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that it's in the national interest.

Democrats and some Republicans have been wary of giving Trump broad authority to slap tariffs on imports that have spiked prices for goods, worried about inflationary costs for Americans. Those voting against the final package were mostly progressive Democrats.

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed by the state’s governor to fill her brother’s seat, said she was honored to carry on his work. “This legislation hits Putin where it hurts,” she said.

Bill sends ‘a moral signal’ to Ukraine and its allies

Zelenskyy told senators during last week’s private meeting at the Capitol that Ukraine is making gains in the war, but still needs more help from the U.S. He publicly thanked them for the sanctions package.

Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who attended the meeting, said the sanctions legislation “is important as a moral signal to a country that is weary and tired, though holding its own.”

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said advancing the legislation now, ahead of Russia’s own elections, will put pressure on Putin to seriously revisit prospects for a peace deal. And she warned that every time the U.S. backs away from tough actions, Russia ramps up its attacks.

“If we can’t shut down the funding for the war machine that Russia is using against Ukraine, then they’re going to keep at it,” she said.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude to the Senate in a post, and said that with U.S. support, "Together, we are bringing a lasting peace closer.”

Some say the bill would give Trump too much tariff power

The Senate defeated an amendment by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon that would have removed the new tariff authority for Trump. Paul says it would be too costly for taxpayers, while Wyden and other Democrats say they don’t want to give Trump any new authority to impose tariffs.

“We’ve got folks who are walking an economic tightrope here in America,” Wyden said.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who had held up passage of the package over the tariff authority, said he received a written commitment from the Trump administration through U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that ensures guardrails. The tariffs would be lifted once the countries are no longer on the lists of those purchasing Russian oil and gas, or helping to evade sanctions, he said.

“We should not have to choose between putting a check on Putin’s aggression and putting a check on this president’s tariffs regime,” Warnock said. If Trump “oversteps his power, we will see him in court.”

Package next goes to the House

While the Senate momentum puts pressure on the House to act as soon as lawmakers return to session at the end of August, top Democrats still warn against handing Trump too much power in the Russia sanctions package.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the bill as is gives Trump too much authority to “weaponize” tariffs in ways that do little to deter Russia, but hurt Americans back home.

“It would allow President Trump to dodge holding Russia accountable and impose yet more tariffs in his destructive trade wars, leaving Americans to foot the bill," Meeks said.

He said the tally on the Paul-Wyden amendment, 32-64, demonstrates the demand among lawmakers to make changes to the package.

The House had already passed a separate measure in June that would provide aid to Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy. That Meeks-led package from Democrats drew bipartisan support from Republicans, overriding objections from GOP leaders.

Employers cut 23,000 jobs in July. And Labor Department revisions slashed 103,000 jobs from May and June payrolls.

The unemployment rate fell but for the wrong reason: Thousands of people dropped out of the labor market so fewer people were competing for work.

The July jobs numbers from the Labor Department Friday marked a sharp setback for the American labor market and for Trump less than three months before his Republican party seeks to keep full control of Congress in the midterm election.

Forecasters had expected job creation to approach 100,000 last month.

Local public schools cut 50,000 jobs in July, restaurants and bars 26,000, retailers 19,000.

The 4.1% unemployment rate was the lowest since June 2025 – but it only fell because 264,000 people dropped out of the labor market last month. The share of those working or looking for work fell to 61.4%, the lowest since February 2021.

“We can't really put lipstick on a pig here,'' said Daniel Zhao, chief economist at the jobs website Glassdoor. ”This is not a great report for July.''

Manufacturing up, but public schools down

The Trump administration, which has imposed massive tariffs in an attempt to protect American industry and create manufacturing jobs, noted that jobs were up 22,000 at construction companies and 5,000 at factories.

“The Trump industrial resurgence is on schedule," said White House spokesman Kush Desai. "Manufacturing and factory construction jobs grew again in July even as government payrolls continued to significantly shrink.’’

Trump has long bragged that jobs have been increasing for native-born citizens in his economy, but that talking point was undermined by the July numbers. The White House declined to comment on why Friday's report showed that employment for native-born Americans dropped by 720,000 over the past 12 months. Those numbers can be quirky. They’re not adjusted for seasonal changes and are not seen as a reliable measure of total native-born employment. But the administration had latched onto them as evidence that Trump's immigration crackdown was benefiting people born in the United States.

To raise or not to raise

Policymakers at the Federal Reserve have been divided over whether to start raising interest to combat inflation that has exceeded their 2% target for more than five years. The Fed kept rates unchanged at its meeting last week — but three officials dissented from that decision in favor of a rate hike. Wall Street traders were expecting rate hikes later this year. Friday’s report may at least delay higher rates.

“The Fed has to consider the health of the job market as they debate whether a hike is justified,″ said Glassdoor’s Zhao. ”The softness in today’s report is going to have to give the Fed a little bit of pause.″

July wage gains were modest. Average hourly pay was up 3.2% last month from July 2025, the smallest year-over-year increase since May 2021. The smaller wage gains are coming at a time when American families are squeezed by the high cost of living.

“This is a bleak jobs report," said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. "The U.S. labor market is stalling again and that is going to make the Federal Reserve’s job harder and life for job seekers rough.''

Women lost 32,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reports, accounting for all the job losses in July. But that marked a reversal in women’s fortunes: They still gained 321,000 jobs over the past 12 months; men lost 5,000 over that period.

Economists noted that private payrolls continued to grow in July and that the big drop in public school payrolls might have been a statistical glitch caused by seasonal adjustments.

Rebounding from a miserable 2025

Hiring had rebounded this year from a lackluster 2025 in the face of the conflict in the Persian Gulf that has sent energy prices surging and put a strain on family budgets. Job growth had been solid, if unspectacular. Some businesses are having trouble filling vacancies. Others are using technology to do the work humans used to do.

Americans who have jobs are enjoying unusual job security. Layoffs are low by historical standards. Companies, scarred by the surprise labor shortages that followed COVID-19 lockdowns a few years ago, don’t want to risk giving up the staff they have.

One week in July the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in more than 50 years. The jobless rate tumbled to 4.2% in June, the lowest in a year, and is expected to have stayed there last month, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet.

But Americans who have lost their jobs – or are seeking to bust into the job market for the first time – are struggling to catch a break.

Economists have used the term "no hire, no fire'' to describe the unusual job market conditions.

Hiring in the year to date remains weak

So far this year, employers are adding 61,000 jobs a month, up from 9,700 in 2025, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002. But job creation this year is well below the 2023-2024 average of 166,000 jobs a month — and it had been even higher during the 2021-2022 hiring boom that followed the end of COVID-19 lockdowns.

At least the United States doesn’t need as many jobs as it used to to keep the unemployment rate from rising. Trump’s immigration crackdown and the ongoing retirement of baby boomers mean fewer people are competing for work. So the “break-even’’ rate of monthly hiring, 155,000 in 2023-2024, has dropped, perhaps to nearly zero, according to a Federal Reserve study.

The jobs outlook is clouded by the ongoing fighting in the Persian Gulf, which has pushed up energy prices and squeezed family budgets, and by the rise of artificial intelligence, which could either make workers more efficient and better-paid -- or take their jobs.

In a report out this week, researchers Ingrid Chen, Marianna Kudlyak and Riva Mikhlin of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that landing a job has gotten tougher in the past couple of years – surprisingly so.

Normally, this deep into an economic expansion – it's been more than six years since the last recession – employers would need workers so badly that they’d be taking chances on young people and on those with less education. Not this time. “Instead of being pulled in, the pipeline into employment is shrinking such that the recovery is no longer reaching workers at the margins,’’ Chen, Kudlyak and Mikhlin write.

Moreover, the unemployed people who normally get back to work the fastest – those in their prime working years (25 to 54) and with college educations – are struggling to find new jobs. The San Francisco Fed researchers aren’t sure what’s making the job search so tough. They suspect it might have to do with the immigration crackdown, hiring slowdowns specifically at tech companies and government contractors, uncertainty over the direction of government policy or “early signals of broader labor market deterioration.’’

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AP Business Writer Claire Savage in Chicago contributed to this story.

Considered the oldest and largest native fish species in the Great Lakes, lake sturgeon have an annual survival probability of 97% — a significantly higher probability than most freshwater fish, which can be closer to 50%, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Still, because lake sturgeon produce very few offspring per year, harvest regulations in Michigan are famously conservative to avoid overfishing. During this year’s brief Black Lake sturgeon fishing season, regulators set the harvest limit at six sturgeon total, which anglers hit within 48 minutes.

The previous year, the harvest season ended in only 17 minutes — setting a new record for the shortest season ever.

“Without the publicity that the brief, limited harvest season provides, the public wouldn’t know as much about all the ongoing restoration efforts for Black Lake sturgeon, like research, stocking, the sturgeon guard program, fundraising, and education and outreach,” said Tim Cwalinski, Northern Lake Huron Unit manager for the DNR. “Not only is the harvest important to the anglers and the local community, but these are also the same people investing in ongoing and successful restoration programs.”

Published in April in the Journal of Fish Biology, the collaborative study from researchers at the DNR, Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University involved capturing, measuring, tagging, and releasing five different Great Lakes lake sturgeon populations over a period of 44 years.

The data was then used to estimate the species’ longevity by comparing how much each fish grew between the first and subsequent recaptures.

While previous research found that lake sturgeon have a lifespan up to 150 years, data from the latest study found its longevity ranged from 90 to 279 years for males and from 99 to 427 years for females — a lifespan nearly long as the longest-lived vertebrate on Earth: the Greenland shark, which researchers estimate can live up to 512 years old.

Retired DNR fisheries supervisor Michael Donofrio called the new research “groundbreaking,” adding that it can help other North American sturgeon management efforts.

To learn more about lake sturgeon in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/sturgeon.

Chris Stapleton at Ford Field

Detroit

• If you’re a country lover (or just someone who enjoys a great live show), head to Ford Field this Saturday for Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show. Catch the award-winning singer live with country star Lainey Wilson.

Learn more!

Margarita Fest

Royal Oak

• Make your way to Royal Oak for a sampling of tequila-based cocktails at the Margarita Sampling Festival. Enjoy a lively atmosphere and sip margaritas crafted by seasoned mixologists.

Learn more!

Detroit Foodie Fair

Detroit

• Named #6 in the U.S for Best Specialty Food Festival, the Detroit Foodie Fair returns to Eastern Market this Sunday. Head to shed 5 for a celebration of Detroit’s food culture. And don’t miss out on Detroit Vegan: a full-scale, plant-based experience.

Learn more!

Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better

Rochester Hills

• This feels-good ’80s event is coming to Meadow Brook Amphitheater this Saturday, and you can still grab tickets! Hear hits from Howard Jones, plus sets from fellow British ’80s greats Wang Chung, The English Beat, and Modern English. The event is hosted by SiriusXM’s Richard Blade.

Learn more!

Emagine Kids Summer Series

Emagine Theater Locations

• This week, you can catch a showing of The LEGO Movie! Tickets are $6 for all ages, plus $6 magic packs. $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.

Learn more!

Hot Dogs & Dogs

Detroit

• Spend the afternoon at Art Park with hot dogs - and real dogs! From 2:00pm - 4:00pm you can enjoy food, games, and a dog-friendly hang. No dog? You can still come join the fun.

Learn more!

Fourgrounds

Plymouth

• You may have heard Local 4 opened its own coffee shop, but have you had the chance to stop by? Spend a weekend morning with a fresh cup of Great Lakes Coffee or a baked good from Bittersweet Bakehouse. Connect to our free Wi-Fi to get a head start on the week or grab a seat and catch up with a friend.

Learn more!

The Bills announced the signing, while a person with knowledge of the deal provided the monetary terms of the contract to The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not reveal the contract's value.

For Beane, the agreement represented his latest major investment in keeping much of Buffalo's offensive line intact for the long term.

“We want to protect No. 17 and that’s where it all starts,” Beane said, referring to Allen’s jersey number. “Obviously there is going to be turnover, but we’ve tried to keep a stable group. I think that’s helped our offense be as successful as it has.”

Torrence’s new contract follows the the Bills re-signing center Connor McGovern to a four-year, $52 million contract to prevent him from entering free agency in March.

Buffalo’s line has stayed mostly intact since 2024. And the unit’s four returning starters from last season, including left tackle Dion Dawkins, are now under contract through at least 2027.

The 26-year-old Torrence was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft out of the University of Florida, and was entering the final season of his rookie contract.

He has 57 career starts, including playoffs, and was part of a line that allowed the NFL’s fewest sacks in both 2023 and 2024, and last season played a role in James Cook leading the league in yards rushing.

“He deserves every penny,” Allen said, of the player nicknamed ‘CyBo.’ “He’s been so steady for us the last few years. He’s going to continue to get better. CyBo’s just that guy on the team where you ask anybody, I don’t think anybody could say a bad thing about O’Cyrus Torrence. He’s the ultimate teammate.”

The only change along Buffalo's line entering this season is at left guard, with Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett competing for the starting job left open following David Edwards’ free-agent departure to New Orleans in March.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The mural, a collaboration between Marrow in the Market and Detroit artist Tony Whlgn, was dedicated Wednesday (Aug. 5) night during “First Wednesdays at the Market,” a monthly event featuring music, food, drinks and art.

The artwork pays tribute to Mose Primus Sr., the first known Black butcher at Gratiot Central Market.

Surrounded by imagery connected to the butchery trade, the mural highlights the history of the craft that has long been central to Marrow’s identity while honoring the contributions of workers who helped build Eastern Market’s legacy.

The mural serves as a lasting tribute to Eastern Market and the people who have shaped its history.

Whlgn, an artist and designer from Detroit’s Eastside, worked with Marrow to create the piece as a celebration of the market’s past and present.

The mural dedication was held at 6:30 p.m., followed by a happy hour event at Marrow as part of First Wednesdays at the Market, which ran from 6-9 p.m.

Chef Noelle Prater of Marrow also offered food during the event, including walking tacos featuring pork pastilla served over corn chips with charred corn queso, pickled Fresno peppers, lime-pickled cabbage and crispy chicharron.

A vegetarian option was also available.

The new mural adds another public artwork installation to Eastern Market, a district known for its food, community events and long-standing role in Detroit’s history.

The Cyclones are picked last in the Big 12 preseason media poll, return no starters and had 55 players transfer after Rogers was hired to replace Matt Campbell, who took 24 of the best with him to Penn State.

Rogers admitted to reporters in Ames, Iowa this week that he was the one who picked the Cyclones, in an On3.com anonymous coaches poll, to make it to the Big 12 championship game in his first season.

“What would you think if I didn’t vote on us? You’d wonder why I’m the head coach at Iowa State,” Rogers said. "I was brought in to win. Very self-aware. They didn’t hire me to come here and not be competitive. I wasn’t hired for my disposition. I was hired to create a program that competes and wins and that’s the goal. We’re not signing up for second place.

“So I know that’s a bold statement, and they’ll print it everywhere. But the reality is this: the players have to believe in what you say, and you have to act on how you believe. I believe that we can win.”

Rogers is replacing the all-time wins leader at Iowa State, which went 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12 in Campbell's final season. The Cyclones played in seven bowls in Campbell's 10 years — they opted out of a bowl last season — and appeared in the Big 12 championship game in 2020. The program hasn't won a conference championship since 1912.

Tight end Tyler Fortenberry said Rogers' prediction surprises no one on the team. He said Rogers' abundance of confidence comes from the success he was part of as an assistant and head coach at South Dakota State of the Football Championship Subdivision. In his only year at Washington State, he led a team with 75 newcomers to a 6-6 record and a bowl bid.

“Coach Rogers does a good job in team meetings making sure we're not focused on what Twitter says, what Instagram says or what the media says about what we're going to finish,” Fortenberry said. “They all have us 16th. If you buy into that and believe what the media has to say, you're not going to get anywhere in life.”

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

As his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC proceeds, a federal judge in Florida granted the president a temporary reprieve on Thursday from an order that he begin divulging details of his business empire’s financial performance — something he is clearly loath to do.

U.S. District Judge Roy Altman agreed to put that order on hold while he considers an amended complaint from Trump that would narrow his claim that he suffered damage to both business and reputation. By focusing only on the latter, Trump’s lawyers hope to avoid the need for the financial disclosures. That updated complaint has not been made public.

Trump filed the lawsuit in December over the way the British broadcaster, in a 2024 documentary, edited a speech he gave on Jan. 6, 2021, before protesters attacked the Capitol in Washington. It is one of many actions he has taken in his second term against media coverage that displeases him — in the courts, with executive action and in the overall presidential bully pulpit.

Trump contends that the BBC's editing was misleading because it cut out, among other parts, a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. The claim seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and $5 billion for unfair trade practices.

The publicly funded broadcaster has apologized to Trump over the edit but rejects claims it defamed him. The furor produced the resignations of the BBC’s top executive and its head of news.

Judge finds new Trump argument noteworthy

In Thursday’s order, Altman said he found “compelling” Trump’s argument that an amended complaint might remove the need for financial disclosures, an argument the BBC disagrees with. Under the order from a Miami-based magistrate judge, Enjoliqué Lett, Trump had been required to start releasing financial records by Thursday from businesses held by his family trust.

“If the plaintiff’s amendment obviates the need to compel a non-party to disclose confidential financial information,” wrote Altman, a 2019 Trump appointee, “we think it’s prudent to enter a brief stay of the Order until the amendment request is resolved.”

But where will the case go from here. And did the Trump legal team overreach in this case?

Seth Stern, advocacy director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, notes that the president can simply drop the lawsuit if the BBC proves successful in arguing that disclosure of financial data is also relevant to reputational harm.

“Trump has a history of filing lawsuits and then just dismissing them before they get to discovery,” Stern said. “So there’s a chance he’ll do that and I’m sure it’ll give him a day or an hour of embarrassing headlines. But as we’ve seen countless times with Trump’s administration ... no one headline seems to stick for very long, and I suspect that one would be no different.”

Stern thinks the BBC would be correct in arguing that financial data would still be relevant in the case. After all, the president is contending he suffered $10 billion worth of reputational harm.

“You cannot claim $10 billion in reputational damages when you’re the president of the United States and you won the presidential election after the reporting that you’re complaining about," he said. “That makes no sense.”

He added: “For him to say that discovery into his economic damages is intrusive or in any way problematic, after he placed such an outrageous damages number on his lawsuit, is absurd."

For now, the BBC trial is set for February

How long the legal maneuvering will take remains unclear. A trial is provisionally set for February in the case, which is just one of a host of legal actions Trump has initiated against media organizations whose coverage draws his ire.

The president is also seeking $10 billion in an ongoing defamation case against The Wall Street Journal over a sexually suggestive letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that the newspaper said bore Trump’s signature. His Justice Department recently issued and then withdrew subpoenas to several New York Times journalists who reported on security concerns about his new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet.

Trump and his administration is also engaged in a battle with ABC, whose coverage he often objects to. His Federal Communications Commission has launched an early review of eight ABC local broadcast licenses well before they expire. Its chairman, Brendan Carr, also appears to be seeking to penalize ABC’s “The View,” where some hosts speak out against Trump, by revoking its exemption from equal-time rules.

The Associated Press has also sued Trump over access to the White House press pool, from which the news organization was curtailed for sticking with the name “Gulf of Mexico” after the administration ordered it rechristened the “Gulf of America.” The AP said it was retaining the term because the body of water crossed borders, but that it would would also note Trump's renaming.

Stern, at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, feels that Trump will continue to press lawsuits — even those he may have no expectation of winning — unless courts suddenly decide to sanction his attorneys for filing frivolous lawsuits.

“Trump doesn’t care about losing a lawsuit or about spending a little bit of money on legal fees,” Stern says. “He understands full well that these aren’t cases he’s going to win. (But) he’s counting on them costing the defendants more than they cost him, in money, time and distraction. He’s counting on the initial headlines when he files a $10 billion lawsuit, making a big splash, and then his subsequent losses being an afterthought."

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Jocelyn Noveck covers the intersection of media and entertainment for The Associated Press.

“It’s a nod to the Pine Room, which was on the top floor restaurant at the old Hudson site. You’ll see some of those nods to the design, there’s a lot of the dark wood tones on the menu, you’ll see nods to it with the Maurice salad and the bumpy cake that we have,” said Kris Peterson, General Manager at Pine Hall.

The restaurant is located on the 12th floor, and the views are breathtaking.

“It really is a panoramic view of Detroit. You’ve got Belle Isle and Canada in the corner. You get shots of the Ambassador and the Gordie Howe Bridge all the way through Book Tower, and then you swing along the skyline. You’ll get a shot down the third baseline of Comerica Park and Ford Field,” Peterson said.

To see the entire segment and the food and drinks offerings, click the video above.