NASA Teams Prepare Eclipse Experiments for August 12, 2026
NASA-funded researchers plan to use a WB-57 aircraft and six scientific balloons to study the Sun’s corona and changes in Earth’s atmosphere during the August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse.
National
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DHS investigates breach of information-sharing network used by government partners
The Department of Homeland Security said it is investigating a cyber breach involving the Homeland Security Information Network, a platform used by government and law-enforcement partners to share sensitive but unclassified information.
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Labor Department watchdog launches investigation into H-1B fraud and worker exploitation
The Labor Department’s inspector general is investigating alleged fraud, wage kickbacks and human-trafficking schemes involving H-1B and PERM programs.
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Federal student-loan borrowers can receive a 1% interest-rate reduction through autopay beginning July 1
Federal student-loan borrowers who enroll in autopay by Sept. 30, 2026, or were already enrolled, can receive a 1% interest-rate reduction through June 30, 2028.
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BLS schedules July employment report for Aug. 7 as June remains latest displayed data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has scheduled its July 2026 Employment Situation report for Aug. 7, while its latest displayed results remain from June.
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FDA reopens public comment period on BHT in food, sets Aug. 31 deadline
The FDA reopened a 30-day public comment period on butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, after stakeholders requested more time to submit data and scientific information.
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Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, sending pressure to House before August recess
The Senate approved a sweeping Russia sanctions bill on Aug. 7, 2026, including a presidential waiver mechanism negotiated in part by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The House has not completed action.
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NEA Names 71 Communities for 2026-27 Big Read Programs Tied to U.S. 250th Anniversary
The National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest awarded $1.09 million in grants to 71 nonprofit organizations in 47 states and Puerto Rico for literary and creative programs during the nation’s 250th-anniversary year.
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Federal Reserve Says U.S. Inflation Rose to 4.1% Over the Year Through May
The Federal Reserve’s July 2026 Monetary Policy Report said headline PCE inflation accelerated to 4.1% through May, while core inflation reached 3.4% and energy prices rose 24%.
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Social Security says national call waits have fallen to eight minutes as disability backlog drops 30%
The Social Security Administration says average waits on its national 800 number fell from 34 minutes in 2024 to eight minutes, while the initial disability-claims backlog declined to 853,000.
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States sue to block federal access to personal data from low-income benefit recipients
A coalition of states and the District of Columbia is seeking to stop broader federal sharing of sensitive information tied to TANF applicants and recipients.
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DOE selects 29 innovators from 27 startups for national lab entrepreneurship program
The 2026 Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program will place 29 innovators at four national laboratories for technical support, training and research access.
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FDA Investigates Nine-State Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Recalled Iceberg Lettuce
The FDA says Taylor Farms de Mexico was the common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations where people later became ill. The investigation remains ongoing, and no positive product sample had been confirmed as of July 19.
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DOE Opens Review of Draft National Transmission Study as Power Demand Grows
The Energy Department has released a draft national assessment of electric-transmission needs, citing demand from data centers, manufacturing and large industrial loads.
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Medicare drug-plan subsidy ending ahead of 2027 coverage year, raising prospect of higher premiums
The Trump administration is ending a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy that offset an average of $16 per person in 2026. Beneficiaries could face higher monthly costs in 2027 as plans finalize offerings.
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12 States Sue to Block Paramount’s Proposed Warner Bros. Acquisition
A coalition led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta says Paramount’s proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery would reduce competition. Paramount disputes the claim, while the Writers Guild of America has filed a separate challenge.
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Three Companies and Executives Agree to Pay $36.4 Million Over Genetic-Testing Billing Allegations
Access DX Laboratory, former CEO Michael Stewart and Florida businessman Harold Shatz reached settlements with the United States over alleged kickbacks and medically unnecessary genetic testing billed to Medicare and Medicaid.
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NASA Sets Aug. 30, 2026, Launch for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
NASA plans to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center, beginning a five-year mission to study dark energy, exoplanets and infrared astrophysics.
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FCC moves to block imports and marketing of some previously authorized communications equipment
A Federal Communications Commission notice says continued importation and marketing of certain Covered List equipment, including equipment with integrated Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus software, should be prohibited because of national-security risks.
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Labor Department expands dislocated-worker grants to support AI-era reskilling
Federal guidance broadens national dislocated-worker grants to address workforce disruption linked to artificial intelligence, reindustrialization and other economic changes, with employment or paid training targeted within six months.
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FTC says Celsius executives will pay $16.5 million and accept cryptocurrency marketing bans
The Federal Trade Commission says Alexander Mashinsky, Shlomi Daniel Leon and Hanoch Goldstein agreed to pay $16.5 million and accept restrictions on marketing cryptocurrency products.
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Supreme Court Schedules Summer Order Lists for Aug. 17 and Sept. 4
The Supreme Court scheduled its next summer order list for Aug. 17, 2026, with another set for Sept. 4. Emergency orders may be issued separately.