Proposed FTC-Hopper deal puts hotel-booking fees under scrutiny
A proposed $35 million FTC settlement with Hopper highlights federal rules requiring clearer hotel-booking prices, optional fees and final checkout totals.
United States
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Federal court challenge tests whether FBI employees can be punished for work on Trump investigations
Five new friend-of-the-court briefs are putting fresh focus on a lawsuit over whether former FBI employees were fired for politically sensitive investigative work.
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2026 U.S. tourism forecast faces a mixed summer test
A federal forecast projects more international visitors in 2026, but domestic travel is shifting closer to home while hotels and parks report mixed demand.
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Senate Hearing Examines How AI Could Change Jobs and Workplace Rules
A July 29 Senate hearing examined how AI may alter jobs, hiring and career pathways as federal projections show growth in some fields and declines in others.
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Live Nation Reports Strong Concert Demand as Antitrust Case Moves Forward
Live Nation posted higher revenue, attendance and ticket sales, while a proposed federal settlement could eventually expand ticketing choices at some venues.
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Keith Sonderling’s Labor secretary nomination remains pending
Keith Sonderling is running the Labor Department as acting secretary, but his nomination remains pending after a hearing and Executive Calendar placement.
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July CPI report due Aug. 12 after June energy-driven decline
The July CPI report is due Aug. 12. June prices fell as energy costs dropped, but food, shelter and underlying costs remain key household concerns.
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Youth sports participation is recovering, but income gaps remain
Federal data show youth sports participation nearing its pre-pandemic benchmark, but children in low-income households remain far less likely to play.
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VA watchdog finds gaps in fiduciary-benefit misuse investigations
A July VA OIG review estimated that staff recorded allegation dates incorrectly in 350 cases and failed to advance about 240 cases for investigation.
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FTC Finalizes 10-Year Order Over Illuminate Student-Data Breach
The FTC finalized a 10-year order over an Illuminate Education breach involving more than 10.1 million students, requiring stricter security and reporting.
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FBI says Americans reported nearly $21 billion in cybercrime losses in 2025
The FBI logged 1,008,597 internet-crime complaints in 2025. Reported losses reached $20.877 billion, with people 60 and older reporting the largest total.
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FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 7 After Decade-Long Review
The FAA certified Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 on August 3 after years of testing and design changes, but production and passenger service still require further steps.
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Extreme heat can disrupt flights even under clear skies
Extreme heat can reduce aircraft performance and trigger weight limits, delays or rebooking even when skies are clear. Here is what travelers should know.
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New 50% Tariffs on Some Canadian Goods Start August 19
New 50% U.S. duties on selected Canadian goods are scheduled for August 19. Here is what is covered, how USMCA treatment changes and who may pay.
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NOAA authorizes Texas gillnet research with dolphin safeguards
A five-year NOAA rule allows Texas coastal fisheries surveys while setting limits, monitoring and reporting requirements for incidental dolphin take.
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Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks New Cuts to School Mental-Health Grants
A federal judge temporarily blocked Education Department cuts to school mental-health grants, giving districts short-term planning relief before the 2026-27 school year.
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Federal labor data shows where AI may grow — and where jobs may shrink
BLS projects 5.2 million more U.S. jobs by 2034, but AI and automation are expected to shift demand toward technical roles and away from routine office work.
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USDA’s $500 Million Fertilizer Program Faces an Aug. 17 Deadline
USDA is accepting FIELDS applications through Aug. 17 for domestic fertilizer projects, but the program is not direct farmer aid or immediate price relief.
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FDA’s lettuce traceback leaves a wider supply-chain question
A nine-state Cyclospora outbreak remains open after a lettuce recall reached consumers, restaurants and retailers in at least 27 states.
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Federal snapshot shows 266,164 public EV charging ports
A new federal snapshot lists 266,164 public EV charging ports, but the mix, location and reliability of chargers still vary widely for U.S. drivers.
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Federal Colorado River plan puts Lake Powell and Mead on deadline
A federal proposal could require deeper Colorado River cuts as low reservoirs threaten water deliveries, hydropower and recreation before Oct. 1.
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ERCOT begins group review of large power projects in Texas
Texas is grouping data centers and other large electricity users into a new grid review as ERCOT prepares August classifications and longer-term transmission planning.