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Guardian — US

Trump Administration Plans to Rescind Roadless Rule Protecting Old Growth Forests

On August 18, 2026, the Trump administration announced plans to rescind the roadless rule protecting old growth forests, which could allow nearly 45 million acres of national forests to be opened for road construction, drilling, and logging. The Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, described the rule as overly restrictive.

Washington Examiner

Baby in Texas Surrogacy Case Undergoes Heart Surgery Following Legal Dispute

A baby boy in a surrogacy dispute had heart surgery shortly after birth in Texas. The surrogate, McKenna West, refused an abortion requested by the biological parents, leading to legal intervention by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for lifesaving care. The case highlights ongoing legal complexities surrounding parental rights in surrogacy arrangements.

The Hill

Rubio announces sanctions against ICC president and trial lawyer

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on August 18, 2026, targeting Tomoko Akane, the president of the International Criminal Court, and Abdoulaye Seye, a senior trial lawyer. This decision reflects the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the ICC.

apnews.com

Senator Slotkin Requests Assurance from Defense Secretary on Military Presence During Midterm Elections

Senator Elissa Slotkin has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to confirm that U.S. troops will not be deployed to polling places during the midterm elections, amid concerns of military interference. The Pentagon stated it would respond to Slotkin's request, while federal law prohibits armed federal forces from being present at election sites unless necessary for national defense.

cbsnews.com

Justice Department seeks reinstatement of criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The Justice Department has requested that a federal appeals court reinstate criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported last year. A lower court had dismissed the charges, citing vindictiveness. The Justice Department denies these claims, asserting that the prosecution was based on legitimate evidence and legal standards.

Fox News — Politics

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña Arrested for Alleged COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested for allegedly misusing over $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds. His lawyer stated he does not speak English, which sparked discussions on social media. DePeña, who has a background as an undocumented immigrant, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

PBS NewsHour

Florida man scheduled for execution after conviction for murder

A Florida man is set to be executed after being convicted of murdering his estranged wife and injuring his mother-in-law. This execution will be the 13th in Florida for the year, making it the state with the most executions in the country.

Axios

Survey Shows Young Adults Increasingly Concerned About AI's Impact

A Pew Research Center report reveals that 55% of U.S. adults under 30 are more concerned than excited about AI, a significant increase since 2021. The report highlights widespread fears about job loss due to AI, with 73% of young adults expecting it to take jobs in the next two decades. Despite research indicating that AI job losses are less common than believed, concerns continue to grow.

Fox News — Politics

James Carville Responds to Socialist Candidate's Criticism Ahead of Florida Primary

James Carville criticized socialist candidate Oliver Larkin's remarks as he prepares for a primary election against moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz in Florida. Carville expressed concern over the influence of far-left candidates in the Democratic Party, while Larkin argued for the viability of democratic socialism and the need for new leadership.

Washington Examiner

Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder, Passes Away at 93

Bill Rasmussen, the co-founder of ESPN, died on August 18, 2026, at the age of 93 after battling Parkinson’s disease. He was instrumental in launching ESPN in 1979, creating the first 24/7 sports television channel. Rasmussen is remembered for his visionary contributions to the sports media industry.

Ars Technica

Disney files lawsuit against FCC and Chairman Brendan Carr

Disney has filed a lawsuit against the FCC and its Chairman Brendan Carr, seeking to stop actions it claims are retaliatory against ABC's freedom of expression. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, includes a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent the denial of broadcast license renewals for ABC stations.