Paramount-Warner merger delayed as antitrust case heads toward trial
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will remain separate as 12 states challenge the proposed merger, delaying any closing or integration into 2027.
United States
-
-
Schedule Policy/Career puts presidential control against civil-service protections
OPM’s July 23 guidance makes Schedule Policy/Career operational, while a pending lawsuit challenges whether it weakens protections Congress created.
-
Trump Order Targets Smithsonian’s Public Space With New Signs
Executive Order 14416 directs agencies to pursue signs and temporary exhibits near the National Museum of American History, but not to take over its galleries.
-
SEC and Big Ten Back College Sports Bill as Senate Deadline Nears
The SEC and Big Ten now support a revised college-sports bill, reviving its Senate prospects while major questions about payments and enforcement remain.
-
Dodgers Acquire Tarik Skubal From Tigers Before MLB Deadline
The Dodgers acquired two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from Detroit for three prospects as MLB’s Aug. 3 deadline approaches.
-
Toyota, Lexus and Subaru EV Recall Notices Begin Mailing Monday
NHTSA says notices for 20,991 Toyota, Lexus and Subaru EVs are expected to begin mailing August 3 after a recall over possible loss of drive power.
-
U.S. Visa Services Shift From 25 African Posts to Regional Hubs
Routine U.S. visa processing moved from 25 African posts to regional hubs on August 1, adding travel and planning requirements for many applicants.
-
Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Ends After 2026
CMS will end a temporary Medicare Part D premium stabilization program after 2026. Some seniors could pay more in 2027, but final plan prices come in September.
-
NCAA Division I Age-Based Eligibility Rule Takes Effect Aug. 1
A new NCAA Division I eligibility clock began Aug. 1, 2026, changing how athletes, families and schools plan college sports participation.
-
NTSB Finds Overweight Flights and FAA Oversight Failures in Alaska Crash
The NTSB says severe icing, airspeed management, overweight operations and inadequate FAA oversight contributed to the 2025 Bering Air crash that killed 10.
-
Senate leaders unveil short-term funding deal aimed at keeping federal agencies open through early December
Senate leaders announced a short-term spending proposal Aug. 2 that would extend federal agency funding into early December, but the measure still needs Senate action and agreement with the House and White House.
-
Trump announces proposed Hamas disarmament deal as Gaza hurdles remain
President Donald Trump announced July 31 that Hamas had agreed to disarm under a proposed Gaza arrangement, according to the Associated Press. The report said major questions about implementation, enforcement and timing remained unresolved.
-
DOE grid-security order for 17 states reaches scheduled Aug. 3 expiration
A U.S. Department of Energy emergency order covering the electric grid in 17 states was scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. CDT on Aug. 3, after taking effect July 26 during hot weather. The available DOE notice does not confirm whether the order was extended, replaced or allowed to lapse.
-
Smithsonian’s “By the People” initiative heads toward its August 2026 conclusion
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s nationwide “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250” initiative is bringing community-created cultural programs to participating states, Washington, D.C., and four U.S. territories through August 2026.
-
FAA proposes waiving 13 environmental laws for certain commercial space licenses
The FAA has proposed a process that could waive specified requirements under 13 federal environmental and historic-preservation laws for some commercial rocket-launch and spacecraft-reentry licenses and permits.
-
NFL training camps open nationwide as 2026 season preparations begin
NFL training camps opened during the week of Aug. 3, beginning the league’s 2026 preparation cycle. Arizona and Carolina were first to have full teams on site ahead of the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game.
-
USTR launches Section 301 action over forced-labor imports from 60 economies
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced a Section 301 action tied to 60 economies’ failure to ban imports produced with forced labor. Available USTR materials do not specify covered products, tariff rates or effective dates.
-
Trump urges Senate to cancel August recess until it passes proof-of-citizenship voting bill
President Donald Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session until lawmakers pass the SAVE America Act, a proposed proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal voter registration.
-
U.S.-Iran conflict enters new phase as Saudi Arabia joins escalation and diplomacy stalls
Saudi Arabia has publicly joined military escalation against Iran-backed proxy groups as a U.S.-Iran conflict enters what The Associated Press described as a new phase and diplomatic efforts again falter.
-
Senate leaders reach funding agreement aimed at avoiding another shutdown
Senate leaders reached a funding agreement Aug. 2 that is intended to avert another federal government shutdown, with a Senate vote expected before the August recess.
-
Lidl Expands Eridanous Cookie Recall to 10 Jurisdictions
Lidl expanded its Eridanous cookie recall to 10 jurisdictions over missing English allergen labels. Shoppers should check UPCs and avoid affected boxes.
-
U.S. Gas Prices Ease Slightly as Diesel Climbs Above $5.36
AAA’s latest national averages show regular gasoline easing slightly while diesel rises, adding pressure to freight, farms, contractors and household budgets.