Tropical Storm Idalia is quickly gaining strength as it moves towards Florida. With sustained winds of 80 mph, Idalia is forecast to become an extremely dangerous major hurricane before making landfall on Wednesday. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 46 of the state's 67 counties and has warned residents to prepare for power outages. Evacuations have been ordered in several at-risk areas, and more than 5,000 members of the National Guard have been activated to assist with the storm response.

Idalia's current track is projected to pass near or over western Cuba before moving over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and hitting the Gulf coast of Florida. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and storm surge to parts of the state, as well as impacting areas of Georgia and the Carolinas. The west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, southeast Georgia, and the eastern Carolinas could see 4 to 8 inches of rain, leading to possible flooding.

With the potential for rapid intensification, meteorologists are closely monitoring Idalia's path and any potential last-minute wobbles that could alter the storm's impact. Floridians are anxiously awaiting the storm's arrival and are advised to stay vigilant and follow all warnings and evacuation orders.

Mark Meadows's surprising testimony in federal court may have unintended consequences for both himself and former President Donald Trump. While Meadows claimed he was simply doing his job as Trump's chief of staff, his testimony potentially points to Trump's involvement in the pressure campaign to overturn the 2020 election. By asserting that he was acting on Trump's direction, Meadows may have inadvertently tied their actions together in the eyes of prosecutors. This undermines Trump's ability to distance himself from the situation, as Meadows is effectively saying he was not acting independently. While Meadows has not made any deals with prosecutors, his testimony could still be used to demonstrate Trump's central role in the alleged criminal conspiracy. It remains to be seen how this testimony will impact Meadows's bid to have his case moved to federal court and whether Trump will face legal consequences as a result.

The California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District over its new policy requiring parents to be notified when a child expresses a desire to be recognized by a different gender identity or pronoun. The policy, which was adopted in a 4-1 vote by the school district in July, also mandates notification if a student wishes to use facilities or participate in activities that do not align with their sex listed on official records.

Bonta argues that the policy infringes on the civil rights of LGBTQ students and "wrongfully endangers" their well-being by creating a hostile environment both in the classroom and at home. The lawsuit comes at a time when several states have been introducing bills to limit the rights of LGBTQ individuals in various domains of their lives.

Research has shown that inclusive policies that protect and affirm transgender youth's identities are associated with positive mental health and academic outcomes. On the other hand, transgender youth are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide due to discrimination and stigma.

The Chino Valley school board held public hearings on the policy during the summer, attracting protesters from both sides of the issue. The lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General is the first of its kind but follows the adoption of similar parental disclosure policies in other conservative areas of the state.

The Biden administration has released a list of ten drugs that will be subject to price negotiations between manufacturers and Medicare. These negotiations aim to lower drug costs for older adults in the U.S. The list includes two blood thinners and a diabetes medication, which are the most widely used among Medicare enrollees.

The most used drug on the list is Eliquis, a blood thinner co-developed by Pfizer, with 3.7 million Medicare enrollees using it. The second most used drug is Jardiance, a diabetes medication produced by Eli Lilly and Company, with nearly 1.6 million Medicare enrollees. The third drug on the list is Xarelto, another blood thinner manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, with about 1.3 million beneficiaries using it.

Medicare Part D spent a significant amount on these three drugs, with $16.5 billion spent on Eliquis, approximately $7 billion on Jardiance, and $6 billion on Xarelto. These ten drugs accounted for $50.5 billion, or around 20%, of total Part D prescription drug costs for the period from June 2022 to May 2023.

Manufacturers of the listed drugs have until October 1st to decide if they want to negotiate prices with the government. If they decline, they might have to pay a significant tax or remove their products from Medicare and Medicaid. The negotiation process is expected to continue through next year, with new prices listed by September 2024. The new prices must be at least 25% lower than the original list prices.

Former President Donald Trump is planning to challenge the March 4 start date for his federal trial regarding his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump's lawyers had proposed starting the trial in April 2026, citing the need to study a large volume of evidence, while prosecutors suggested January. Despite Trump vowing to appeal the start date, his lawyer stated that they would abide by the judge's decision. The trial is currently scheduled to begin three years, one month, and 27 days after the events of January 6, 2021.

The timing of the trial is particularly awkward for Trump, as it falls in the middle of his already busy schedule. The day after the trial begins is Super Tuesday, where voters in over a dozen states will cast their primary votes. While the negative headlines that may emerge from the trial could affect his ability to campaign for subsequent primaries, Trump will not be required to attend until opening statements begin. It is also worth noting that trial calendars are typically not subject to appeal, although there may be complexities in this case. Overall, it remains to be seen how Trump will attempt to challenge the trial date.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the secretive mercenary chief and founder of the Wagner Group, was recently laid to rest in St. Petersburg, but his funeral was far from low-key. Despite the lack of official announcement of when and where it would take place, rumors and speculation spread across social media about the location of the burial. Eventually, Prigozhin's representatives confirmed that he was buried in Porokhovskoe Cemetery on the edge of St. Petersburg next to his father. The funeral reportedly lacked military honors and only a few people attended. However, the level of security surrounding the cemetery was anything but low-key. Police, sniffer dogs, anti-drone officers, and riot police were present to ensure that the media and public could not access the burial site. The Russian authorities viewed the Wagner mutiny organized by Prigozhin as treachery, and they wanted to keep attention away from the funeral. Despite the secretive nature of Prigozhin's funeral, his death has been mourned by many in Russia, with makeshift memorials appearing in his hometown of St. Petersburg and in Moscow.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out against hate-fueled violence after a white man fatally shot three Black people at a Florida store. Biden called for action to end such violence and emphasized the importance of speaking out against injustice. He also met with civil rights advocates and the children of Martin Luther King Jr. on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the sentiment, stating that most people in the United States have more in common than what divides them. Both leaders emphasized the need for unity and the duty to prevent factions from severing the nation's unity. Despite their vocal condemnation of hate-fueled violence, the article did not mention their response to the Jacksonville shooting specifically or whether they made any public statements regarding the incident.

A graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on educational property in the fatal shooting of his professor, according to court documents. The shooting occurred inside a campus lab and led to an hourslong lockdown. The suspect, Tailei Qi, 34, made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday and was ordered held without bond until his next court appearance on Sept. 18. The district attorney has stated that he will not seek the death penalty for this case. The campus chief of police said that the suspect and the victim "knew each other" but it is still too early to determine a motive for the shooting. The firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered, and it is unclear whether it was obtained legally or illegally. This tragic incident has left the campus community deeply shaken and highlights the continuing issue of gun violence in America.

A 16-year-old girl was stabbed and killed in a fight over McDonald's sweet-and-sour sauce outside a McDonald's in Washington, D.C. early Sunday morning. The victim, Naima Liggon of Waldorf, Maryland, sought treatment for stab wounds at a hospital but unfortunately did not survive. According to police, the fight erupted between Liggon and another 16-year-old girl in a car outside the McDonald's. The argument allegedly began over the sauces they received with their order. A detective testified in court that the two girls had ordered food together and then got into a vehicle when the argument turned violent. The suspect was found with a knife when she was arrested and has been charged with second-degree murder. At a hearing, the suspect claimed she acted in self-defense, but the prosecutor argued that the fight had already ended before the stabbing occurred. Liggon's tragic death marks the 13th killing of a minor in the city this year. As a result, certain areas are implementing curfews for individuals 16 years old and under. Liggon, a student at Thomas Stone High School, was remembered as a talented and beloved young lady who aspired to be a master barber.

The search for victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui has shifted from the land to the ocean, as officials believe they have completed the search on land. Despite a list of 388 individuals who are still unaccounted for, authorities do not expect the death toll to rise significantly in the final stages of the search. So far, 115 people have been declared dead from the fire, with 45 of them identified. The identification process has been challenging, with the coroner's physician urging people with missing relatives to submit DNA samples to aid in the process.

As of August 28, the Lahaina fire remains 90% contained, affecting an estimated 2,170 acres. The Olinda fire is 85% contained, affecting about 1,081 acres, while the Kula fire is 90% contained, impacting approximately 202 acres. Although efforts continue to completely extinguish the fires, there are no active threats among them.

The wildfires, which started on August 8, have become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii's history. They spread rapidly due to dry conditions from the ongoing drought and powerful winds, destroying thousands of residential and commercial buildings. As authorities continue their search for victims, they are now focusing on the ocean, hoping to find any remaining individuals who may have sought refuge there.

SOURCE: ABC News, KITV, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui County Fire Department

SKIP STORY

Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the 2021 Kabul airport attack are expressing their anger and demanding answers from President Joe Biden and his administration. During a roundtable hosted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, parents of the fallen service members criticized the lack of transparency regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the events that occurred during the attack. The families accused the administration of lying to them about what happened and the nature of their relationship with the Taliban. They expressed frustration with the administration's response to the failures and demanded further investigations into the withdrawal. The committee, led by Republicans, has made the investigation a priority since taking the majority in the House in 2022. The families are seeking accountability from Biden and other top officials involved in the withdrawal process. The roundtable provided an opportunity for the families to share their experiences and demand the truth about the tragic events that resulted in the loss of their loved ones.

The Biden administration has removed federal protections for a majority of the country's wetlands in compliance with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army announced a final rule that amended the definition of "waters of the United States" to align with the decision in Sackett v. EPA. The ruling narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and reduced the agency's power to regulate waterways and wetlands. As a result, numerous wetlands will no longer be under federal protection, potentially affecting up to 63 percent of wetlands by acreage. Additionally, an estimated 1.2 million to 4.9 million miles of ephemeral streams could be impacted. The EPA stated that the amendments only changed the invalidated parts of the previous rule and removed the significant nexus test when identifying tributaries and other waters for federal protection. Environmental groups and developers have long debated the extent of the Clean Water Act's protection of waterways and wetlands.

North and South Carolina have both declared states of emergency as Hurricane Idalia approaches. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding, and high winds to the region. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper activated the state's emergency operations plan and waived transportation rules to facilitate the transport of fuel and supplies. The declaration also aims to protect consumers from price gouging. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order for state agencies to coordinate a response to potential flooding and other effects from Idalia. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will cross Florida before bringing tropical storm conditions to South Carolina. Residents are advised to prepare for high winds, flash flooding, storm surge, and isolated tornadoes. It is crucial for residents to have emergency kits, multiple sources of receiving information, and an evacuation plan if necessary. Coastal residents are urged to determine whether they are located in a coastal evacuation zone and be prepared to follow instructions from local authorities.

A drone attack on the city of Pskov in northwestern Russia reportedly damaged four heavy transport planes, according to state media. The attack occurred at Pskov's airport, with video footage showing a massive fire and the sounds of explosions and sirens in the background. Pskov is located near the border with Latvia and Estonia, about 800km from Ukraine's border. There were also reports of explosions in Russia's Bryansk and Tula regions. Moscow airspace was briefly closed in response to the attacks on Pskov before reopening to air traffic. The Russian military said it had downed three Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region and one over the Orlov region. However, there was no immediate comment from the defense ministry on the Pskov attack. The extent of the damage and any casualties are still being assessed.

The gridlock between the House and Senate leadership in Tennessee's special legislative session shows no signs of ending as the second week begins. While the House continues to pass bills, the Senate has adjourned without taking up any legislation. Last week, the Senate only passed three bills, leaving dozens untouched. The House has passed a measure requiring the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations to create a new report on human trafficking in the state, which is now awaiting Governor Bill Lee's approval. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has declared the Senate effectively closed, but House members are determined to continue passing legislation. The standoff could potentially last until September, with Senate leaders hoping to have more time to properly vet the bills brought forward by the House. Meanwhile, tensions rose in the House when GOP members voted to silence Democratic Representative Justin Jones for the rest of the day's session, leading House Democrats to walk out in protest. Public safety issues and the lack of progress in addressing them have frustrated community members and parents, who have taken their frustrations to the galleries of the legislative session.

Former president Donald Trump's co-defendant in the election interference case, Harrison William Prescott Floyd, has reached a bond agreement after spending the weekend in jail. Floyd, who is accused of harassing an Atlanta-area election worker, posted a $100,000 bond on Tuesday. It remains unclear when he will be released from custody. Unlike the other defendants, Floyd initially did not retain a lawyer and did not contact the District Attorney's office to negotiate a bond agreement. As a result, he was held in jail for five nights until a public defender was assigned to his case. Floyd had already been evaluated by the Georgia Public Defender Counsel but was not taken as a client, suggesting he may not have qualified financially for indigent defense services. A lawyer in private practice has now been appointed to represent Floyd, and online fundraisers have raised approximately $300,000 for his legal defense.

As the powerful storm Idalia continues to make its way towards the Midlands region, Midlands Technical College has announced the closure of its campuses in anticipation of possible flooding. The decision comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

Idalia, which has already caused widespread destruction in other parts of the country, is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Midlands area over the next few days. In light of this forecast, Midlands Technical College officials have taken proactive steps to prevent any potential harm or disruption.

The closure will affect all Midlands Technical College campuses, including its main campus in Columbia and its satellite campuses in Batesburg-Leesville, Fairfield, and Northeast Columbia. Students and employees have been advised to stay home and take necessary precautions until further notice.

"We take the safety of our college community very seriously," said Dr. Henry Chi, President of Midlands Technical College. "Closing our campuses is a precautionary measure to ensure that our students and employees are out of harm's way. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary."

Affected individuals are encouraged to check the college's website and social media channels for updates on when the campuses will reopen. In the meantime, online classes and remote work options will be available to ensure minimal disruption to academic and administrative activities.

Preventing any potential risks, Midlands Technical College has taken a proactive approach to protect its community from the anticipated floods associated with the oncoming storm, Idalia. As the storm progresses, the college will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide updates as necessary, while prioritizing the safety of its students and employees.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has expressed concerns after American firms reported that China has become "uninvestible" and "too risky" for business. Raimondo, who recently visited China, heard complaints from American companies about exorbitant fines, unclear revisions to the counterespionage law, and raids on businesses. China, however, defended its business practices, stating that the majority of U.S. firms in China want to stay and that Beijing is working to ease market access for foreign companies. Raimondo urged American businesses to continue investing and growing in China. Despite the lack of breakthroughs in her trip, the U.S. and China have agreed to establish a commercial issues working group, launch an export control enforcement information exchange, and hold a tourism leadership event in the first half of 2024. The visit, focusing on better communication, has been seen as a success on the U.S.-China communication front. However, analysts remain skeptical about the extent to which commercial and investment problems will be alleviated, given the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The FBI has announced the successful takedown of the Qakbot ransomware program, a major global malware network that has been active for over 15 years. Through a months-long effort known as Operation Duck Hunt, the FBI, along with its European partners, infiltrated and seized control of the network, remotely removing the malicious Qakbot software from thousands of infected computers. The Qakbot network, also known as Pinkslipbot and Qbot, has been responsible for numerous online crimes, including ransomware attacks that netted the administrators around $58 million. While the FBI has estimated that they seized or froze $8.6 million in cybercurrency, no arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and it is believed that the administrators of Qakbot are located in Russia and/or other former Soviet states. Cybersecurity experts applaud the success of the takedown but caution that setbacks to cybercrime are often temporary. Qakbot has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage since 2008, affecting millions of people worldwide.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has announced that he is suspending his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. After failing to meet the requirements set by the Republican National Committee to participate in the first presidential debate, Suarez made the decision to end his campaign. Despite a years-long effort to build his national profile and mount a credible campaign, Suarez's bid for the White House only garnered around 0.2% support from Republican voters, according to national polls. His campaign struggled to gain attention in a crowded field, despite his attempts to present himself as a young, optimistic option for Republican voters. As the only Hispanic candidate, Suarez hoped to appeal to historically left-leaning Latino voters and promoted himself as a tech-savvy politician. However, he ultimately did not meet the polling criteria needed to qualify for the debate. With his campaign coming to an end, Suarez must now return to his role as Miami's mayor with little authority on the City Commission and no clear political trajectory.

The United States and China have agreed to launch a new export control enforcement information dialogue and a formal working group on commercial issues, according to the US Commerce Department. This move provides a potential platform for Beijing to address concerns about US national security policies. The first in-person meeting of the export control information exchange will take place on Tuesday in Beijing. However, it should be noted that the US emphasis on export controls has been criticized by China. The White House plans to implement restrictions on US investment in sensitive technologies in China and is finalizing export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, wants to address concerns from US businesses operating in China that are facing difficulties. The new commercial issues working group will involve government officials and private sector representatives from both countries to seek solutions on trade and investment issues and promote US commercial interests in China.

A multinational operation led by U.S. authorities has successfully dismantled a network responsible for infecting hundreds of thousands of computers with malware and carrying out cyberattacks worldwide. The operation, codenamed "Duck Hunt," involved law enforcement agencies from France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Latvia. The network was behind the infamous Qakbot malware, which has been active since 2008 and has targeted victims through spam email messages containing malicious links or attachments. Once infected, the victims' computers would become part of the botnet, allowing cybercriminals to carry out ransomware attacks and financial fraud.

The operation resulted in the neutralization of the Qakbot infrastructure, cutting off the criminal supply chain. The FBI, in collaboration with its partners, also seized $8.6 million in stolen cryptocurrency, which will be returned to the victims. The disruption of the botnet is expected to prevent further cybercrimes and protect individuals and businesses from significant financial losses. The investigation into the network is ongoing, and the authorities have not announced any arrests yet. This multinational effort demonstrates the commitment of international law enforcement agencies in combatting cybercrime and safeguarding the digital landscape.

In a shocking medical discovery, neurosurgeons at Canberra Hospital in Australia have found a live worm inside a woman's brain during surgery. The 64-year-old patient had been experiencing a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, night sweats, forgetfulness, and depression. Doctors initially suspected a cancer or abscess, but an MRI scan revealed a worm-like structure in her right frontal lobe.

Dr. Hari Priya Bandi, the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery, was not expecting to extract a live 8-centimeter roundworm from the patient's brain. The parasite has been identified as Ophidascaris robertsi, a species usually found in carpet pythons. This is the first known case of a live worm inside a human brain.

Researchers believe that the patient may have come into contact with the roundworm after ingesting Warrigal greens, a native leafy vegetable, which may have been contaminated by python feces. The discovery of the worm highlights the potential risk of diseases and infections crossing over from animals to humans.

The patient is said to be recovering well after the surgery. The case has been published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, shedding light on this extraordinary medical occurrence.

The Biden administration has weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands, stating that it was necessary following a Supreme Court ruling that limited the federal government's jurisdiction over them. In a final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army, the definition of "waters of the United States" has been amended to align with the Supreme Court's decision, thus reducing federal protections for a majority of the country's wetlands. This decision comes after decades of debate between developers and environmental groups over the scope of the Clean Water Act in protecting waterways and wetlands.

The Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA, which narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act, led to the EPA removing the "significant nexus" test from consideration when designating waterways and wetlands as federally protected. This change will have a significant impact on wetlands across the country, potentially affecting up to 63% of wetlands by acreage and an estimated 1.2 million to 4.9 million miles of ephemeral streams.

While the Biden administration's decision is seen as a response to the court's ruling, it has sparked criticism from environmentalists who argue that weakening clean water protections will have detrimental effects on water quality, wildlife habitats, and overall ecosystem health.

A shooting at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, has left three African American people dead and has sparked a federal hate crime probe. The suspect in the shooting, identified as Ryan Palmeter, was armed with an AR-15-style rifle with swastika markings. Authorities believe that Palmeter originally intended to attack a different dollar store, but was deterred when he saw a security vehicle outside. Instead, he targeted the Dollar General in the predominantly Black New Town neighborhood of Jacksonville.

The victims of the shooting have been identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, an Uber driver who was shot in her car; A.J. Laguerre, 19, a store employee who was shot as he tried to flee; and Jerrald Gallion, 29, a customer who was shot as he entered the store. Palmeter then turned the gun on himself.

The shooting has raised questions about the persistence of white supremacy and anti-Black racism in the United States. It is not the first time that Black people have been targeted in acts of violence while going about their daily lives, and it serves as another tragic reminder of the ongoing threat faced by communities of color. A memorial has been set up at the Dollar General store to honor the victims and pay tribute to their lives.