The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will revoke approximately 200,000 B1 and B2 non-immigrant visas issued between 2016 and 2026 that have been held by individuals who have applied for asylum or are seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department said it will coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and cancel the visas of people who entered the country on short‑term visitor visas and later filed for asylum, a practice the administration deems inconsistent with the terms of the visas. The policy is part of a broader immigration enforcement effort by the administration. A State Department spokesperson stated that the action is intended to enforce existing visa conditions, though the department did not provide a timeline for implementation. Immigration advocacy groups have expressed concern that the revocations could affect individuals who are pending asylum decisions. No immediate legal challenges were reported at the time of publication. The administration has not indicated whether the visa revocations will be subject to a formal rulemaking process or how many applications may be affected before the deadline.
Congress, the White House, elections, and the policies shaping the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Monday to lift a lower‑court injunction that had halted a June executive order by former President Donald Trump that limits mail‑in voting, though a separate injunction remains in place. A federal judge in Massachusetts issued the injunction in June, finding that the order likely conflicted with federal voting rights law. The Supreme Court’s decision follows a split along the Court’s ideological lines. The majority held that the injunction should be dismissed, allowing the administration to pursue the order. A second injunction issued by a different court continues to block certain provisions of the order. The ruling leaves the case open to further litigation before the November midterm elections. Democratic leaders said the decision could suppress voter turnout, while Republican officials said it helps ensure election security. State election officials said they will review the order and adjust procedures as needed. The ultimate effect on the upcoming elections remains unresolved.
South Carolina Republicans will return to the polls on Tuesday for the fourth time since June to choose a nominee for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham won the June 9 Republican primary but died on July 11 from an aortic tear. The special primary on Aug. 11 resulted in Sen. Darline Graham, the senator’s sister and appointee, and Rep. Ralph Norman, a five‑term congressman, advancing to the runoff. Darline Graham received about 33% of the vote, while Norman received about 25%; Rep. Russell Fry finished third with about 20%. Graham performed strongest in central South Carolina, including the Columbia area and the Lowcountry region around Charleston, and achieved her highest percentages in counties along the Georgia border. Norman performed best in the Piedmont and Upstate regions, including Greenville, and Fry performed best in the Pee Dee and Waccamaw counties he represents. Greenville County, the state’s most populous, contributed the most votes in the primary and had been one of the few counties Graham lost in his last election. Richland and Charleston counties, which have Democratic‑leaning populations, are among the next largest contributors in Republican primaries. Horry, Lexington and Spartanburg counties also have substantial populations and influence primary outcomes. Spartanburg was the only other county Graham lost in the June primary. Former Rep. Russell Fry endorsed Graham after his primary loss. Graham has received support from Sen. Tim Scott and former President Donald Trump, who held a campaign rally with her in Myrtle Beach on Friday. Darline Graham will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician from Charleston who challenged Republican Rep. Nancy Mace in the 2022 congressional race. Graham won re‑election in 2020 with 54% of the vote, and Trump carried South Carolina in 2024 with 58%. Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Only voters who participated in the Democratic primary on June 9 or who are unaffiliated may vote in the Republican runoff; Republican primary voters are also eligible. As of Friday, South Carolina had about 3.4 million registered voters, with no party registration. Approximately 465,000 voters cast ballots in the June 9 Senate primary, and about 336,000 voted in the Aug. 11 special primary. About 19% of the Aug. 11 vote was cast early or by mail. As of Friday, roughly 45,000 ballots had been cast for the Tuesday runoff. Nearly all of South Carolina’s 46 counties release early and absentee results in the first update after polls close, typically before any Election Day results are posted. In the Aug. 11 special primary, the Associated Press first reported results at 7:13 p.m. ET, 13 minutes after polls closed, and the final update came at 11:25 p.m. ET with more than 99% of votes counted. The AP will declare a winner when it determines that no scenario exists for a trailing candidate to close the gap; otherwise it will report developments such as candidate concessions without making a projection. Recounts in South Carolina are automatic if the margin is 1% or less of the total vote; the AP may call a race subject to a recount if the lead appears insurmountable. Tuesday’s runoff occurs 70 days before the 2026 midterm elections.
The Trump administration proposed removing a 10‑mile buffer that currently shields the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico from oil and gas drilling, a move that would permit extraction activities near the UNESCO World Heritage site. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to eliminate the buffer, which covers about 336,400 acres, and the proposal attracted roughly 100,000 public comments during a 14‑day comment period that ended in July. UNESCO said extractive activities are incompatible with World Heritage status and that projects located outside a World Heritage property must not adversely affect its outstanding universal value. The agency is awaiting a response from the federal government on the potential impact of the buffer removal.
Several U.S. World Heritage sites already have nearby drilling or mining operations, and the administration’s broader “drill, baby, drill” policy seeks to expand fossil‑fuel extraction on federal lands. Tribal leaders, archaeologists and environmental groups warn that the removal could cause irreversible environmental harm, affect water resources, degrade air quality, and diminish the dark‑sky designation valued by astronomers and visitors. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the buffer’s removal would cause “irreversible damage.” The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service did not respond to requests for comment.
Byron Donalds, a Republican candidate for Florida governor, said he expects a tighter race against Democrat David Jolly, citing the difficulty of winning as the party in power with Florida’s full Republican control of state and federal offices.
He made the remarks during a CNN interview, noting that incumbents typically face tougher cycles and that Florida’s political landscape limits his ability to deviate from the status quo.
Polling suggests Donalds holds about a six‑point lead on average, though no new surveys have been released since the August 18 primary and a Democratic Governors Association poll placed Jolly within the margin of error.
Donalds emphasized his focus on housing and insurance costs and announced a “launchpad” program offering internships and apprenticeships for high‑school seniors to address kitchen‑table issues.
He said he is not concerned about former President Donald Trump’s declining support among independents and indicated that any appearance by Trump would likely occur, but did not confirm that Trump would campaign for him.
He also said he had a productive conversation with Governor Ron DeSantis and expects further discussions during the campaign, though DeSantis has not said he will campaign for Donalds.
The contest remains competitive as the primary has passed and the general election approaches, with Donalds emphasizing economic messaging while navigating a political environment dominated by Republican leadership.
Unions are advocating for clean energy jobs in the United States despite criticism from former President Donald Trump. Since Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012, a labor movement has linked climate action with economic inequality, emphasizing the need for sustainable employment. Ryan McElroen, who spent years repairing New York City subway tunnels, said his perspective shifted after taking a job in offshore wind development, describing a move from a dark workplace to a new outlook. Former President Donald Trump has criticized the push for renewable energy, saying it threatens traditional energy jobs. Union leaders have organized campaigns and policy proposals to protect clean energy employment, arguing that the sector creates jobs while reducing emissions. The debate over the role of clean energy in the U.S. labor market continues as policymakers evaluate the balance between traditional energy jobs and new renewable opportunities.
Meta held a two‑hour, hands‑on AI training workshop for more than 150 small business owners in Central Florida on Friday at NeoCity in Osceola County. The session was part of Meta’s Small Business Community Accelerator Program, which partners with local chambers to provide practical AI instruction. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Empowering Small Business report, aimed to bridge the gap between AI adoption—61% of Florida small businesses use AI—and confidence, as 78% expect AI to help their business. Attendees included U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, local officials and nonprofit leaders. Shelly Marc, Meta’s Public Policy Manager, said the program’s goal is to show small businesses how to use AI tools effectively, emphasizing that AI is meant to augment rather than replace jobs. Participants practiced writing prompts, structuring tasks into subtasks, and sharing best practices. Mark Savant, president of Mark Savant Media, noted that effective use depends on strong prompts and breaking tasks into smaller steps, and advised newcomers to start with tools like ChatGPT or Meta AI and simply describe their needs. Meta has previously run similar workshops in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania and San Diego. The session underscores growing interest in AI among small enterprises and the need for continued hands‑on support, while the broader impact on productivity remains to be seen.
MAGA Inc., the political action committee aligned with former President Donald Trump, reported spending more than $827,000 on phone calls and text messages supporting Darline Graham in the South Carolina Republican runoff, according to a Federal Election Commission filing released Monday.
The super PAC, which has raised more than $403 million, had not previously made a substantial expenditure in a race this year. Its earlier spending this year included about $18,000 for Clay Fuller in a Georgia special election in March and roughly $1.7 million for phone banking in support of Matt Van Epps in Tennessee in late 2025.
Trump held a rally with Graham on Friday, according to campaign coverage. Her victory in the Tuesday runoff could reinforce Trump's influence in Republican primaries, according to political analysts, after recent losses for his preferred candidates in Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa.
If Graham secures the Republican nomination, the expenditure underscores the continued role of Trump-aligned groups in shaping primary outcomes; the impact on the general election remains to be seen.
The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily upheld President Trump’s March 2026 executive order that restricts mail‑in voting, stating that the plaintiffs had not shown how they wou...
The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily upheld President Trump’s March 2026 executive order that restricts mail‑in voting, stating that the plaintiffs had not shown how they would be harmed by the policy. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to create lists of voters it deems citizens in each state and requires the Postal Service to deliver mail‑in ballots only to voters on those lists, and it threatens criminal prosecution for election officials who do not comply. A federal district court had issued a nationwide injunction on August 11 blocking the order, and that injunction remains in effect despite the Supreme Court’s decision. Voting‑rights groups argue that the Postal Service’s August 21 rule, which ties ballot delivery to state provision of voter rolls, violates the injunction and could disenfranchise millions of voters, especially those with disabilities and those in rural areas. The Justice Department has sued 30 states to obtain their voter rolls and is 0‑23 in federal court to date. Twenty‑three states, led by California, filed suit claiming the order poses a high risk of errors and could prevent many voters from receiving mail ballots. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, writing that the ruling injects uncertainty into the upcoming midterm elections and contravenes established precedents on the Court’s equitable discretion. The Court’s unsigned majority opinion, authored by the conservative bloc, said the case was premature, while the dissent warned that the decision contributes to pre‑election chaos. The decision does not resolve the merits of the executive order; states may renew challenges after the agencies finalize implementation, and the midterm elections are roughly 70 days away.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch sent a fundraising text to a former donor requesting a final $10,000 and included a parenthetical remark that he might someday run for governor, according to the donor, who asked to remain anonymous. Welch’s campaign said the comment was a joke and that any gubernatorial bid would be announced officially. The mayor faces a November runoff after a primary in which he received less than 21% of the vote and finished behind five opponents. Crist, a former governor, holds a cash advantage of more than $700,000 versus Welch’s roughly $80,000, and has placed no worse than second in any of the city’s 84 precincts, while Welch placed third in 70% of precincts. Analysts and former officials have questioned Welch’s strategy and viability, noting his low primary performance and limited financial resources.
Oklahoma Republicans will hold a runoff Tuesday to determine the gubernatorial nomination after State Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former State Senator Mike Mazzei finished first and second in the June 16 primary, each receiving less than 27% of the vote. Neither candidate reached the 50% threshold required to avoid the runoff. Mazzei loaned more than $11 million to his campaign and spent about $12.3 million, while Drummond loaned $3 million and contributed $7.1 million, spending $9.1 million overall. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Mazzei before the primary and criticized Drummond; his endorsement has helped secure victories in several races but does not guarantee success in gubernatorial contests, as seen in recent Iowa and Georgia primary outcomes. In the Democratic Senate primary, nurse N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas received about 45% of the vote, while attorney and minister Jim Priest received about 24%; Thomas’s campaign reported roughly $455 in cash on hand compared with about $56,000 for Priest. The Republican nominee for Senate is U.S. Representative Kevin Hern, who captured about 70% of the primary vote. The winner of the governor’s runoff will face Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson in the November general election, and the Senate runoff winner will face Hern. Voters will also decide State Question 846, which would amend the state constitution to require proof of identity to vote, and State Question 844, which would modify reimbursements to local governments for lost tax revenue under a manufacturing incentive program. Polls close at 7 p.m. Central Time (8 p.m. Eastern). As of July 31, the state had about 2.4 million registered voters, including 1.3 million Republicans, 616,000 Democrats and 500,000 independents. Approximately 403,000 Republicans and 169,000 Democrats participated in the June 16 primaries, with 11% of Republican and 12% of Democratic ballots cast early or by mail. About 32,000 early ballots had been cast as of Friday, and most early voting results are expected to be released before in‑person Election Day tallies. Vote counting began at 8:14 p.m. Eastern on June 16 and reached more than 90% by 10:19 p.m. Eastern, with final updates around midnight.
U.S. officials say the Trump administration intends to revoke up to 200,000 business (B1) and tourism (B2) visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for individuals who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, a move that would represent the largest single mass visa revocation in U.S. history and could face legal challenges.
The State Department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify visa holders whose applications for short‑term visits were followed by asylum filings. Officials said the revocations would not automatically result in immediate deportation; most pending asylum cases would be recategorized, causing those individuals to lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said, “We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short‑term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently.” He added that the total number of revocations is dynamic and will be determined on a rolling basis.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X that “People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” and cited a 2015 case involving a Colombian citizen who entered on a tourist visa and later applied for asylum. He described asylum as not intended to be a loophole for circumventing immigration law.
The administration has previously increased visa scrutiny, demanded extensive social media information, required higher bond payments, and moved to restrict birth tourism. In the past 18 months, the State Department revoked about 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes ranging from drunken driving to violent offenses, as well as for those who publicly criticized U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East.
Screening of current B1 and B2 holders began after the State Department received information from the Citizenship and Immigration Services about asylum requests. The number of visas affected remains undisclosed, and legal challenges are expected. The administration has not provided a timeline for the announcement, which is anticipated in the coming weeks.
President Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that the United States will impose sweeping secondary sanctions on any country or institution that does business with Iran. The sanctions, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, are described as an “economic D‑Day” intended to cut off Iran’s oil, gold, technology, digital assets, aviation and shipping sectors. Bessent said the policy will use a zero‑leakage approach to shut down facilitators and networks that enable Iran to evade existing sanctions, but he did not disclose implementation details or a timeline. Reporters asked which leaders are being pressured and when enforcement would occur; Bessent declined to answer. The United Arab Emirates, Iran’s largest regional trading partner and a U.S. ally, said it would temporarily halt trade with Iran following the announcement. Bessent said Iran has been in conflict with the United States and much of the world for 47 years, a period during which U.S. sanctions have increased ninefold over the past two decades without leading to a more cooperative government, according to the administration. World Bank data from 2025 show that about 35 percent of Iran’s 92 million residents live on less than $8.30 per day, the poverty line for its economic peers. The administration has previously imposed secondary sanctions on many nations that trade with Iran, but enforcement has been limited against major partners such as China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar.
Abdul El‑Sayed, the Michigan Senate Democratic nominee, said he is distancing himself from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker after Piker suggested that American Jewish support for Israel could lead to violence against Jews in the United States. El‑Sayed said his commitment to Jewish safety is the same as his commitment to the safety of his daughters and that he opposes any rhetoric that puts the community at risk, adding that only he and his campaign spokespeople speak for the campaign.
The controversy began during a livestream in which Piker warned that portraying American Jews as monolithic in their support of Israel is a critical form of propaganda and said that continued emphasis on that idea could lead to attacks on Jews in the United States, not on the state of Israel. A social‑media post displayed a picture of Democratic congressional nominee Jeremy Moss with a caption noting contributions from pro‑Israel donors. Moss denied a viral audio clip that claimed he sought to maintain U.S. support for Israel, saying the recording was fake.
El‑Sayed’s statement was his clearest effort to separate his campaign from Piker, whom he had endorsed during the primary despite Piker’s past criticism of Israel. The episode highlighted Democratic attempts to rebuild support among Jewish voters in Michigan after a primary that did not gain the support of many of those voters. Representative Hillary Scholten, who had endorsed El‑Sayed’s primary opponent, said the remarks raised concerns about the tone of political discourse. Piker responded on social media, saying Scholten was trying to gain attention by criticizing a prominent commentator and affecting Democratic prospects. Republican Mike Rogers described Piker as El‑Sayed’s running mate and said his statements about violence against Jews have been criticized, noting that El‑Sayed had not publicly disavowed the rhetoric. Since winning the nomination, El‑Sayed has sought to distance himself from Piker, noting that he repudiated a 2019 Piker comment that America deserved the September 11 attacks. Democratic leaders, including Senator Elissa Slotkin and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, held unity events, and former President Barack Obama spoke with El‑Sayed after his victory, signaling party backing.
The situation illustrates the challenge Democrats face in balancing the concerns of Michigan’s large Jewish and Arab‑American communities, a dynamic that former Vice President Kamala Harris also navigated during the 2024 presidential race.
Kyle Huneycutt, a Florida parent and community engagement specialist for Florida Families for Vaccines, said his daughter Evelyn was diagnosed with leukemia at age four, requiring chemotherapy that compromised her immune system and made vaccination ineffective. Children undergoing immunosuppressive treatment often cannot be vaccinated, and even when vaccination occurs, immune response may be insufficient, leaving them vulnerable in school settings where peers are immunized. The Florida Department of Health has proposed eliminating four existing school vaccine mandates and expanding the religious exemption to include moral or ethical beliefs, which could permit more unvaccinated students to attend school. Survey data indicated that roughly 80% of Floridians support maintaining the current school vaccine requirements. Huneycutt asked parents to submit public comments urging the state to retain existing vaccine safeguards and preserve the scope of the religious exemption. Evelyn now attends school with her classmates after treatment, and Huneycutt hopes that continued protections will allow her and other children to remain in the classroom without health risks.
Florida’s unemployment rate fell to 4.6% in July, the second straight month of decline, according to figures from FloridaCommerce. The rate is still higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.1%. The rate had risen to 4.8% in April after a period of increase and had not risen since then. Miami‑Dade County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5%. Taylor County recorded the highest rate at 8.4%. About 515,000 people were unemployed in the state, out of a labor force of roughly 11.12 million. Nonagricultural employment increased by approximately 4,500 jobs compared with June and by about 41,000 jobs year‑over‑year. Education and health services added 35,800 jobs. Professional and business services added 13,600 jobs. Leisure and hospitality added 13,200 jobs. Financial activities lost 13,600 positions. Government lost 13,100 jobs. Information fell by 3,100 jobs. Geographic analysis showed that 23 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas posted year‑over‑year job gains. Orlando added 16,500 jobs. Miami added 10,800 jobs. Tampa added 6,600 jobs. Fort Walton Beach lost 800 jobs. Fort Lauderdale lost 400 jobs. The unemployment rate remains above the national average. Future monthly movements are pending.
Zainab Bibi Ahmed, who voted uncommitted in the February 2024 Michigan primary to protest President Joe Biden’s position on Israel, is now volunteering for the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan, Abdul El‑Sayed.
The primary attracted roughly 100,000 uncommitted voters, a protest that Amnesty International described as a response to the conflict in Gaza.
El‑Sayed’s campaign has drawn former uncommitted voters, including Ahmed, who are canvassing and fundraising to bolster the Democratic effort ahead of the November election. Other former uncommitted voters have indicated similar willingness to support the nominee.
The development signals a potential shift in the Democratic electorate in Michigan, though its broader impact on turnout remains uncertain.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is pursuing legislation to modify how utilities are held financially responsible for wildfire damage. The proposal, announced as the final legislative session of his governorship draws to a close, would cap utility payments to victims, allow insurers to assume more liability for property loss, and impose fines on utility executives and shareholders if a fire caused by their equipment exceeds $1 billion. Newsom says the current system, which obliges utilities to pay damages regardless of negligence, is unsustainable as wildfire costs rise and the state’s wildfire fund approaches exhaustion. Survivors and advocacy groups argue the plan favors utilities over fire victims, while insurance companies warn that rates could increase. A coalition of the state’s major utilities — PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric — has urged lawmakers to adopt the measure. The Legislature must act by August 31, or Newsom could convene a special session. Lawmakers have not detailed a final agreement, though a supplemental $18 billion was approved last year to bolster the wildfire fund. An economist at UC Berkeley notes that climate‑driven fire intensity and infrastructure decisions complicate the question of liability distribution. Newsom has said he will not leave the issue for his successor.
Democrat Christina Bohannan is pursuing a third campaign for the U.S. House seat representing Iowa’s 1st District, after losing to Republican Mariannette Miller‑Meeks in 2022 and 2024. Bohannan, a University of Iowa law professor and former environmental engineer, has spent the past year traveling to rural counties that supported Donald Trump in 2024, including Louisa County, where she did not campaign in the 2024 election. She began door‑knocking in January rather than April and distributes a letter introducing herself to prospective voters, a strategy she said is intended to increase name recognition in areas where she previously received fewer votes. In 2022, Bohannan lost the district by 23,000 votes; in 2024, she lost by 799 votes, the second‑closest margin in the election cycle. The district covers more than 30,000 square miles and includes dozens of counties with populations under 20,000, as well as urban centers such as Iowa City and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. Bohannan’s campaign emphasizes economic concerns, citing inflation and fuel prices, and argues that tax policy and regulation affect small manufacturers and farmers. She has said she is not a radical, noting her legal work on intellectual property and business innovation and describing her upbringing in rural Florida and her family’s health care challenges as experiences that resonate with voters. Bohannan also points to shifting voter registration numbers, noting that Democratic registrations have increased faster than Republican registrations since the June primary, a trend she says could boost turnout in the district. Republican Mariannette Miller‑Meeks, a physician elected in 2020, has defended her record by saying she prioritizes patient care over insurance companies and supports legislation that includes Medicaid reforms and tax cuts. Miller‑Meeks voted for measures that block congressional oversight of Trump’s emergency tariff actions, supported continued military operations against Iran, and voted for a 2023 tax and spending package that is expected to reduce Medicaid funding over time. Health care providers in the district have warned that changes to Medicaid reimbursement could strain rural hospitals, including MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, which plans to end obstetrics services in 2026. Bohannan believes Trump’s failure to curb inflation since returning to the White House may hurt Miller‑Meeks, whose district includes farmers paying high diesel prices and residents paying near $4 per gallon for gasoline. Local voter registration data show a modest increase in Democratic enrollment in Scott County, the district’s most populous county, while Republican registration remains higher overall, according to Terry Olsen, vice chairman of the Scott County Democrats. The race is considered competitive nationally, with Democrats viewing a win in Iowa’s 1st District as a potential indicator of a broader effort to regain control of the U.S. House. The outcome will depend on voter turnout, the effectiveness of Bohannan’s outreach in rural areas, and the extent to which economic concerns influence the electorate, leaving the race’s result uncertain as the election approaches.
Trump announced a new 50% tariff on Canadian cars, trucks, automobile parts and steel, effective January 1 2027.
The tariff will cover all vehicles, parts and steel imported from Canada.
Trump made the announcement on his social media account, writing that Canada has been “ripping off” the United States for years.
He said the measures are intended to protect American workers and industry.
The announcement deepens trade tensions between the two nations, which have maintained strong economic ties.
Canadian officials have not yet responded to the proposal.
Florida health officials proposed on Monday a rule amendment that would remove requirements for hepatitis B, pneumococcal, chickenpox and Hib vaccines from school entry, while expanding religious exemptions to include sincerely held moral or ethical beliefs. The proposal follows Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s effort to curtail vaccine mandates announced nearly a year earlier. Existing state law still requires immunizations for polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, pertussis, mumps and tetanus. The rule amendment does not alter statutory requirements but changes the health department’s guidance. Under the draft, families could qualify for exemptions based on religious tenets or a sincerely held moral or ethical belief, and county health officials would not seek additional information from parents. The public may submit comments through September 14. Democrats said the plan threatens public health and could increase susceptibility to preventable diseases such as hepatitis B, pneumonia and meningitis. The proposal references a Trump executive order that listed some of the removed vaccines as recommended for all children, though it placed hepatitis B in categories for high‑risk groups or shared decision making. The existing vaccination requirements remain in effect while the rulemaking process continues.
Residents of Georgia's 13th Congressional District will vote in a runoff election on Tuesday to select a new representative to replace the late Democratic Rep. David Scott, who died on April 22. The contest is between two Democrats, former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, daughter of the late congressman. In the July 28 special election, Scott received about 46% of the vote and Blair received about 38% among five candidates. The winner will serve the remainder of Scott's term, which ends on January 3, 2027. Blair was the only candidate from the special election who also ran for the full‑term seat, placing third in the May 19 Democratic primary with about 12% of the vote. State Rep. Jasmine Clark won the primary with 56% and will face Republican Jonathan Chavez in November; Clark did not file for the special election because doing so would have required resignation from her state legislative seat, a step that conflicts with state constitutional timing rules, and Republican leaders chose not to pursue redistricting during the special session. Scott, who was 80 at the time of his death, had faced primary challenges as he sought a 13th term. The district includes parts of six predominantly Democratic counties, with the largest share of voters in Gwinnett County. As of Friday, about 585,000 voters were registered in the district, with no party registration required. Approximately 20,510 votes were cast in the July 28 special election, and 47% of that total was cast early in person or by mail. About 5,200 ballots had been cast in the Tuesday runoff as of the report, with the majority from Gwinnett County. Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The Associated Press will publish results and declare a winner when the lead is insurmountable; Georgia has no automatic recount provision, but a losing candidate may request a recount if the margin is 0.5% or less. The outcome will affect the narrow Republican majority in the House.
American tourists made a record 23.3 million trips to Europe in 2025, according to the State Department, a 5 percent increase over 2024. Florida recorded 143.3 million visitor trips in 2025, the highest annual total, as overseas visitor arrivals rose 4 percent that year.
The number of valid U.S. passports grew to 183.2 million by 2025, up from 11.1 million in 1990, according to the State Department. Direct flights have multiplied and booking tools now provide hotel reservations, directions, translation and payment, making international travel more accessible. Tourism Economics expects a 5 percent increase in American trips to Europe for 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Overseas visitors to Florida stayed longer than domestic travelers, with an average stay of 9.7 nights for Canadians and 10.8 nights for overseas visitors, compared with 4.29 nights for domestic visitors, according to VISIT FLORIDA. This means each overseas trip sustains Florida tourism for roughly two and a half domestic trips. Domestic visitors spent an average of $256.07 per person per day in 2025, nearly 60 percent more in nominal terms than in 2019, and out-of-state visitor spending reached $134.9 billion in 2024, up 3 percent from the previous year.
Florida’s tourism brand was valued at a record $162 billion by Brand Finance, and the state allocated $80 million to VISIT FLORIDA for the current fiscal year. The organization tracks affordability, international travel trends, trip length, visitor spending, repeat visits and market share, using those findings to shape its marketing strategy for 2026‑27.
The growth in European travel and strong overseas arrivals in Florida highlight a competitive landscape where U.S. destinations vie for the same pool of American travelers, while both regions adjust marketing and pricing strategies to attract visitors.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to proceed with an executive order that restricts mail‑in voting ahead of the November midterm elections, though the scope of its implementation remains uncertain.
The order, signed in March, directs the administration to compile lists of eligible voters and instructs the United States Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to individuals on those lists. Democratic officials in 23 states and the District of Columbia sued to block the measure, arguing that the Constitution assigns election administration to states and Congress and warning of potential chaos.
A federal judge in Massachusetts initially blocked the plan for the midterm elections; an appeals court upheld that injunction and later extended it nationwide. The Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, asserting that the states filed the suit prematurely and that a separate appellate decision had already permitted the order to move forward. The Court’s order addressed procedural arguments rather than the substantive merits of the policy. Several Republican‑leaning states filed briefs supporting the federal government, saying they would have a role in shaping the final voter lists.
The decision does not resolve all legal challenges; further litigation may arise if the administration implements the changes before the elections. The Justice Department had filed an emergency appeal seeking to allow implementation before the midterms, but the Supreme Court’s action leaves the matter subject to subsequent court rulings.
While Trump has repeatedly asserted without evidence that mail voting leads to widespread fraud, a 2025 Brookings Institution study found only about four instances of fraud per 10 million mail ballots cast. Mail voting has been used by roughly 30 % of ballots in the 2024 presidential election and is considered secure by election officials.
The Supreme Court previously ruled that states may count mail ballots received after Election Day, a decision made after full briefing and argument, not on an emergency docket.
The ruling allows the administration to move forward with the order, but the timing and extent of its effect on the upcoming elections remain unclear.
Spectrum broadband announced it will provide service to 8,000 new homes and businesses in Citrus County, Florida, as part of a $7 billion national effort to expand rural internet access.
The company's multiyear plan targets the construction of 100,000 miles of new infrastructure that will eventually reach more than 1.7 million locations across the United States.
Spectrum presented a $15,000 check from its Beyond the Build Digital Education Grant program to United Way of Citrus County during a football game at Citrus High School Stadium on Friday night.
The grant is intended to improve digital literacy among students and families in the area.
Senator Ralph Massullo, a Republican from Lecanto, said reliable high‑speed internet enables local businesses to compete, helps families access essential services and supports student success in the classroom.
The company previously contributed the same amount to Christian Tech Center Ministries in Seminole County and completed an expansion there that added over 900 homes to its network.
The investment reflects continued private sector involvement in expanding broadband access to underserved communities.