U.S.
CMS Finalizes Rule Ending Federal Medicaid and CHIP Payment for Gender-Transition Care for Minors, Effective October 13
The rule bars federal Medicaid dollars for gender-transition surgery, hormones and puberty blockers for people under 18, and bars CHIP payment for those under 19, with a six-month taper for children already on hormones.
David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Democratic Primary for Governor by 0.4 Points Over Francesca Hong
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley took 39.8% to state Rep. Francesca Hong's 39.4% in the August 11 primary; Hong conceded, and Crowley will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.
Trump Turns Back to Iran Sanctions and Vows Prosecution of Leakers Behind Munitions Stockpile Reports
The administration is leaning on financial pressure as talks stall, while Trump disputes reports that U.S. interceptor and missile stockpiles have run low.
Hunter Biden Says His Father's Prostate Cancer Has Spread Further Into His Bones
In a BBC interview aired August 8, 2026, Hunter Biden said former President Joe Biden's stage-4 prostate cancer has progressed and is causing pain; Biden's office has not issued a matching medical update.
Trump Says U.S. Has 'Not Agreed' to License Patriot Interceptor Production in Ukraine
At a July 31 Cabinet meeting, President Trump said Washington had not approved a manufacturing license for Ukraine, weeks after telling President Zelensky at the NATO summit that a license would be granted.
Extreme Heat Warnings Cover Parts of Arizona, Nevada, California and Utah; Reno and Salt Lake City Set New Records at 103°F on Aug. 7
The National Weather Service kept extreme heat warnings in force across the Southwest through Aug. 10, while Maricopa County reported 40 confirmed heat-related deaths and 388 more still under review so far in 2026.
ICE Disputes AP Report on Body-Camera Footage Release Policy; Says All Field Officers Will Have Cameras by End of August
Acting ICE Director David Venturella said the Associated Press mischaracterized a policy provision on fast-tracked release of footage after a death or serious injury in custody, while the AP's report quoted the policy's "best interests of the agency" language directly.
Senate Adjourns for Recess After Voter-ID Bill Falls 52-46, Short of the 60 Votes Needed
Senators left Washington on August 8 after cloture failed on a photo-ID measure drawn from the broader SAVE America Act, which Republican leaders now say they will revisit in September.
Senate Confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC Director on 51-44 Vote
The August 5 vote fell almost entirely along party lines and fills a director's job that had sat vacant since the previous director was removed in August 2025.
Justice Department Unseals Five Indictments Against CJNG Leaders and Announces Over $100 Million in Rewards
At an Aug. 5, 2026 press conference, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel said senior Jalisco New Generation Cartel figures face drug, weapons, fraud and terrorism-support charges tied to a timeshare scheme the government estimates took more than $400 million from American seniors.
Hawaii Holds Statewide Primary for Governor, Congress and an Open Lieutenant Governor Seat; Rep. Ed Case Reported Winning His Democratic Race
Gov. Josh Green sought renomination against three little-known Democrats, while the closest-watched contest was Rep. Ed Case's primary against state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in urban Oahu.
Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's Security Clearance, Citing Air Force One Disclosure
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Frank Kendall made an "unauthorized disclosure" about the Qatari-gifted presidential jet; Kendall says he was told nothing about what he supposedly revealed.