Washington News
Latest fact-checked coverage from Washington.
Apple Increases Apple Music Prices in the United States Effective July 17
Apple increased Apple Music plan prices in the United States on July 17, 2026. The company cited rising licensing costs for the adjustment affecting individual, family, and student tiers.
IDF Kills PIJ Terrorist Who Commanded Abduction of Hayman Remains
IDF killed Taher Ahmad Salem Abd al-Wahed in a strike on July 17, 2026. Inbar Hayman's body was released in July 2026 after more than two years and she was a Caracal Battalion commander while nineteen hostages remain.
Coast Guard Seeks Directed Energy Systems to Counter Unmanned Threats
The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center issued a request for information for directed energy systems on Monday. Industry responses on technical specifications and costs are due by Aug. 20 for maritime applications.
Galveston, Texas Launches Search of Cemetery Records for 18,000 Gravesites
The city of Galveston, Texas, launched an online tool to search cemetery records. The database maps more than 18,000 gravesites across six city-owned cemeteries and identifies more than 10,000 individuals.
IDF Legal Division Delays Gaza War Crimes Probes
The IDF legal division postponed releasing findings on alleged war crimes in Gaza. Officials fear data could be misused by the ICC and the International Court of Justice.
World Heritage Committee To Refer Greece's Mount Olympus Nomination Back
A draft agenda indicates the World Heritage Committee will refer the Mount Olympus nomination back to Greece for details in July 2026. Officials consider fees to protect the ecosystem and history.
Pediatrician Williamson Advises Treating Heat As Childhood Injury Risk
Dr. Williamson advises parents to treat extreme heat as a common childhood injury risk. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows 31 children died of heat stroke in vehicles in 2025.
Scientist Manning Reports Study on AI Simulations of Deceased Loved Ones
Information scientist Jack Manning reported study results on June 12 at the Designing Interactive Systems Conference. Volunteers reported conversations were comforting even when the chatbot invented facts about the deceased.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay Extends World Chess Day Greetings
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay extended greetings on World Chess Day. He felicitated Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa with a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh.
San Antonio International Airport Expansion Costs Exceed $2 Billion Total
The City of San Antonio issued $946 million in bonds to fund the airport expansion project. The new third terminal includes up to 18 gates and the facility is expected to be completed by 2028.
American Victims Urge President Trump to Demand Iran Pay Restitution
Victims gathered in Washington to urge President Trump to demand Iran pay restitution. The letter states no deal releases Iranian assets before terrorism judgments are resolved.
Staff, Families Protest UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Clinic Move
Protesters rallied at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland against clinic relocations. Officials cite safety improvements while protesters question funding allocation and patient access barriers.
French Lawmakers Negotiate Compromise on Social Media Ban for Children
French lawmakers negotiate bill to ban social media for children under 15. A vote may occur this week, but European Union law requires a notification period delaying enactment until August.
Federal Judge Corker Allows Wrongful Death Suit to Proceed in Meigs County
Judge Clifton Corker allowed wrongful death suit against Meigs County and Deputy Robert J. Leonard's estate.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar Asks Judit Polgár
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced plans to ask Judit Polgár to serve as president. The appointment requires a Hungarian parliament vote following a constitutional amendment that ended the president's term.
NORAD F-16s Intercept Three Aircraft Violating Flight Restrictions Above New Jersey
NORAD F-16s intercepted three aircraft violating flight restrictions in New Jersey on Sunday. Flares were deployed during two intercepts, and all aircraft were safely escorted from the restricted airspace.
Health Department Charter Broadens Vaccine Committee Scope Beyond Immunizations
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a charter for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on July 7, 2026. The charter directs evaluation of non-vaccine interventions and limits industry-funded members.
Driver Dies in Rear-End Collision on Interstate 35
A driver died June 8, 2026, in a rear-end crash on Interstate 35 near O'Connor Road. San Antonio police cited distraction while data showed this segment recorded the most crashes in 2025.
Modeling Study Links First Fleet to 1789 Smallpox Outbreak in Australia
A modeling study published July 9 concludes the British First Fleet brought smallpox to Australia in 1788. The research estimates approximately 220,000 Indigenous people died from the 1789 outbreak near Port Jackson.
Houston Police Department Searches For Four Suspects
Houston Police Department investigators seek four suspects after a maintenance worker was shot on July 19. The victim remains in stable condition following the confrontation outside an apartment complex.
Chattanooga Police Department Investigates Crash Injuring Five People
Five people were injured after an ATV struck a vehicle on Lower Mill Road Sunday morning. Chattanooga Police Department Traffic Unit investigates the collision while victims receive hospital treatment.
Office Of Management And Budget Closes Comment Period
The Office of Management and Budget closed its public comment period on a grant-making proposal this week. Almost half a million responses arrived while 22 state attorneys general oppose shifting nearly $1tn in authority.
Chattanooga Police Arrest 76-Year-Old Archie Smith on Attempted Homicide Charges
Chattanooga police arrested Archie Smith following an anonymous tip received on July 17, 2026. He is charged with attempted homicide and felony reckless endangerment related to the July 5 incident.
Klein Fire Department Responds To Fatal Apartment Fire
Klein Fire Department crews responded to a fire at a Cypresswood Drive apartment complex. One person died, several were injured, and officials will investigate the cause.
U.S. Military Strikes Kill Eight Fishermen From Mexico's Nayarit State
Eight fishermen from Mexico's Nayarit state died in U.S. missile strikes during February operations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected territory violations as mourners held memorial services.
United States Markets Venezuelan Oil After Maduro Removal
The United States government markets Venezuelan oil globally and remits the share to the Venezuelan national treasure. Delcy Rodriguez serves as interim president following the removal of Nicolas Maduro from power in January 2026.
Novartis Sets Quarterly Results Release Tuesday
Novartis releases quarterly results Tuesday before investors assess clinical trial data. The three upcoming trial readouts are for the drugs pelacarsen, remibrutinib, and del-desiran. Analysts project the three drugs hold a combined peak annual sales potential exceeding $10 billion.
Northside Independent School District Board Names Palomares Interim Superintendent
Northside Independent School District board voted to name Jessica Palomares interim superintendent starting Aug. 1. The board will seek a permanent hire by February 2027 while addressing a $38 million budget shortfall.
Two Lawsuits Allege LifeMD Urged Rapid Prescriptions
Former leaders filed suits alleging LifeMD urged clinicians to see 25 patients hourly via digital forms with little screening. LifeMD denies claims but keeps status with pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk.
Church of England General Synod Features Document Accusing Israel of Genocide
Church of England General Synod gave prominence to Kairos II in July 2026. Document accuses Israel of genocide and urges churches to rethink engagement with Zionist voices.
Thames Water Creditors Accept State Stake but Oppose Full Public Ownership
London & Valley Water creditors propose a rescue deal allowing government equity but reject nationalization. Creditors offer £20bn by 2030 to avoid a special administration regime costing taxpayers £2bn.
San Antonio Police Report 33-Year-Old Man Hospitalized in Southtown Motorcycle Crash
San Antonio Police Department said a 33-year-old man was hospitalized with major injuries after a motorcycle crash in Southtown. The man was traveling northbound when he struck the rear of an SUV. The SUV driver remained on scene to render aid as investigators examine collision details.
Australian Government Allocates $971.6 Million For Offshore Asylum Seeker Processing in Nauru
Australian government allocated $971.6 million for offshore management in the 2025-26 financial year. Survey respondents reported insufficient funds for food while 82 percent lack access to clean drinking water. Some asylum seekers said they would prefer death over current conditions, citing unclean water and lack of resources. The system is reported to destroy people's physical and mental health.
University of Sharjah Study Links Autoimmune B-Cells to Severe Viral Infections
University of Sharjah researchers published findings in Cell. Results indicate pre-existing autoimmune B-cell responses targeting type I interferons underlie severe viral infections.
Suspected Somali Pirates Seize Tanker MT Astana in the Gulf of Aden
Suspected Somali pirates seized Tanzanian tanker MT Astana on Friday in the Gulf of Aden. Regional coastguards and international agencies launched response efforts as the vessel moved to waters off Somalia.
Amazon Web Services Displays Incorrect Estimated Billing Data Globally
Amazon Web Services experienced a global glitch causing incorrect estimated billing data display on Thursday. Estimates reached $1.5 trillion for some users before the company paused computations to resolve errors.
Korea Advanced Institute Identifies Immune Mechanism
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology announced research identifying an immune mechanism for anti-CTLA-4 therapy in brain tumors. Heung Kyu Lee led the team publishing findings in Science Immunology.
USDA Builds Sterile Fly Plant in Texas
USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas livestock and began construction on a sterile fly facility. The facility will produce 50 million flies weekly to protect the cattle herd at a 75-year low.
SpaceX Cancels Starship Flight 13 Launch Attempt
SpaceX canceled the Starship Flight 13 launch attempt on Thursday after flight computers triggered an automatic abort. Ground teams will replace two Raptor engines as Musk said probable launch timing is early next week.
Maryland Governor Moore Outlines Plan to Lower Energy Bills for D.C. Region
Maryland Governor Wes Moore presented a strategy to reduce utility costs at a Greater Washington Board of Trade event. He emphasized modernizing regulations and speeding up project approvals to address infrastructure needs.
All-America Economic Survey Shows Economic Pessimism Is Highest Since December 2023
The All-America Economic Survey finds sixty-one percent of the public is pessimistic about the economy. Forty-seven percent report cutting back on essential items, sixty percent disapprove of Trump's handling, and Democrats lead congressional preference by 4 points.
Du Plessis Defeats Usman By Unanimous Decision in Oklahoma City
Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City. Du Plessis seeks a title shot after improving his professional record to 24-3 with the win.
European Union, Ukraine Sign Agreement to Ramp Up Drone Production
The European Union and Ukraine signed an agreement to merge unmanned warfare expertise with industrial capacity. Ukraine aims to increase annual drone production from 10 million to 20 million drones through joint ventures.
Survey Finds 88% Of US Voters Favor Employer Heat Protections
Data for Progress found 61% of voters believe extreme weather events became more frequent. 88% of participants favor policies requiring employers to provide heat protections.
Ohio House Passes Bill Eliminating Parole For Killing Officers
The Ohio House passed House Bill 372 in March 2026 to eliminate parole for killing officers. The bill known as the Larry Henderson Act awaits an Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
Burger King Tests Whopper Bites And Bowls in U.S.
The fast-food chain is evaluating options including Whopper Bites and protein bowls. Tom Curtis says the move prepares for demand shifts as eleven percent of adults use weight-loss drugs while analysts predict revenue losses.
Parents of Kyle Bylin Sue Unity Medical Center in North Dakota
Parents of Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison sued Unity Medical Center in North Dakota alleging a 1988 newborn switch. The lawsuit alleges that hospital staff switched the newborn and that each child was raised by the other's biological family. Plaintiffs seek more than $50,000 in damages while the hospital denies responsibility and cites missing records.
Tonya Hervey Files Complaint Against Fowler
Tonya Hervey filed a complaint against Dr. Fowler on Tony Carruthers execution attempt. It alleges Fowler violated ethics injecting him without allergy checks.