President Trump on Friday once again promised each American adult a $5,000 check if Republicans keep control of Congress after the midterm elections.

"When I say something, I mean it! The $5,000 Dividend will happen because the People of our Country deserve it. VOTE REPUBLICAN," he wrote on social media.

But the pledge is receiving bipartisan criticism from politicians, and economists are sounding the alarm. The proposal would cost the U.S. government over a trillion dollars, while the country is already carrying a $40 trillion debt.

Scripps News spoke with Veronique de Rugy, an economist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, about the effects if the checks do go through.

"It's not much different than the checks that we cut people during the COVID epidemic. The COVID relief sent a lot of checks," de Rugy said. "What's very different is that we're not in an emergency at all."

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"What is also different is that in general, when you put relief efforts during an emergency, there's this kind of understanding that actually the money will be repaid. In this case, the president is actually claiming we're going to have this paid with tariff revenue. But tariff revenues are not nearly enough to pay for this. So it will be borrowing and no one knows how it will be repaid for," de Rugy said.

Watch the full interview with de Rugy in the video above.

25 Years After 9/11: Personal Stories, Unanswered Questions, and the Next Generation. On this special, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Jon Leiberman reflects on being at the Pentagon moments after the plane hit, and hears from those whose lives were forever altered that day.

Jon sits down with 9/11 widow and three-time cancer survivor Beth Murphy, who shares her incredible story of resilience after suffering a stroke right before the 20th anniversary.

Scripps News' Kadia Tubman breaks down the long-fought victory for the World Trade Center Health Program and why a 7th moment of silence is being added to this year's ceremony. Then, Middle East historian Dr. Asaf Romirowsky examines how the global terror threat has evolved 25 years later, before the panel sounds off on how to teach 9/11 to the 100 million Americans who weren't even alive when it happened.

Don't have time to follow every twist and turn of the week's biggest stories? Veteran journalist Jon Leiberman ("Howard Stern" and "America's Most Wanted") breaks down what happened so you are in the know on the most important, compelling, underreported and craziest stories of the week.

Stream new episodes of "Catch Me Up" every Friday at 7 p.m. ET. And text the word Scripps to 202-968-2449 to comment or be part of an upcoming panel discussion.

A massive wildfire in North Texas is still burning more than two weeks after it started.

The Ross Fire has torched more than 90,000 acres since it ignited on August 24, destroying over 150 structures and disrupting schools. It grew quickly during its initial days, crossed water boundaries like creeks and prompted some evacuations as it burned through rural ranchland.

Triple-digit temperatures and gusty winds may now complicate firefighting efforts over the weekend.

But firefighters are making progress: The fire is now more than 75% contained, thanks to efforts by crews from across the state and personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Aerial firefighting craft have continued fire retardant drops and some ground crews have even deployed retardant to help reinforce a defensive line.

The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Ross Fire is the largest summertime wildfire in Texas in state records, which go back to 2005.

The fire is believed to have been started due to a vehicle.

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More than 54,000 wildfires have burned more than 8.4 million acres so far in 2026, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Seventy-four new fires, two of them large, were reported on September 10.

Yemen s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured the island of Mayun at the entrance of the Red Sea, a key alternative for shipping Saudi oil and other exports since Iran has been targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The island's seizure was confirmed by a senior military official with Yemens internationally recognized government and a Houthi official. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to journalists.

Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against the airport in Yemen's port city of Mokha, which the Houthis captured on Thursday, a Houthi broadcaster said. There was no immediate report of damage or deaths.

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About 12% of the worlds goods are typically shipped through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. It's especially important to Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally.

The Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement Friday that maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels. But markets are nervous, and experts have described the Houthis as highly unpredictable.

A United Nations spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said Houthi rebels in Mokha seized a compound that had housed U.N. staff, who all fled safely before the city's capture. Haq said that no U.N. personnel remain in Mokha right now.

More than 2 million bottles of Ricky Joy Sour Crush Rolling Liquid Candy have been recalled because of a choking hazard.

The 1.85-fluid-ounce bottles contain sour liquid candy that is dispensed through a rollerball top. Federal officials say the rollerball can detach from the bottle and pose a choking hazard.

No injuries had been reported when the recall was announced.

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The candies were sold at stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and RickyJoy.com from January 2023 through May 2026. They sold for about $3 per bottle and between $13 and $32 for a 12-pack.

The recalled candies came in four flavors: blue raspberry, strawberry, green apple and watermelon.

Consumers who have the recalled candy should stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. They can also contact The Ricky Joy Company at 404-975-0352 with questions.

Tourism officials are asking visitors to steer clear of one of Hawaiis most picturesque islands as residents and businesses work to recover from the latest tropical storm to thrash the state.

Intense wind and surging waves from Hurricane Lowell damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power early this week on Kauai, known for its stunning tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs.

Thousands of customers, including some resorts, remained without power Friday, as crews continued clearing streets of downed trees and utility poles. Extensive lines backed up at Kauais primary airport as people tried to leave the island; state officials said the airport was operating on a lone backup generator because a second generator was damaged by the storm. That reduced security screening to a single line with long delays.

RELATED STORY | Hurricane Lowell battered Hawaii's western islands and is linked to at least 2 deaths

Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawaii altogether, Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of Hawaii Tourism Authority, said in a written statement Thursday. Adjusting your itinerary allows you to continue your Hawaii vacation while supporting the states broader visitor economy as Kauai recovers.

Kauai depends on tourism

Kauai sees only a small fraction of Hawaiis almost 10 million visitors each year, but tourism is its top economic driver, with people coming from all over to take in its tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. Local estimates say tourism accounts for 4 out of every 10 jobs on the island.

The hurricanes powerful storm surge buckled and washed away roads, knocked down the walls of homes and flooded resorts, sending rapids through a hotel lobby, overturning furniture and scattering debris. It was blamed for two deaths, including a 74-year-old man found Wednesday near Kauai's south shore and a man found dead Monday on Oahu after a large tree fell on his tent.

Democratic Gov. Josh Green asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to issue a major disaster declaration to expedite federal help for Kauai and Maui counties.

On Lanai, one of Hawaii's smallest main islands, storm damage rendered a harbor that supplies much of the food and fuel to its 3,300 residents inoperable. Officials initially said it would take two weeks to repair, but Thursday they updated that estimate to say it should be ready for operations by Sunday, with additional repairs to a sinkhole and a pier to take a week. The island is mostly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, who spent about $300 million on it in 2012.

Resorts offer refunds and rebookings

At the Koa Kea Resort in Poipu, management said it would offer refunds for those who had to cancel rather than reschedule their reservations, but that it expected to resume normal operations within two weeks. The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, which sustained no structural damage, said it had to close beginning Thursday evening but hoped to reopen soon after power is restored.

While images of destruction flooded social media, 68-year-old Chris White, a lifelong resident of Kauai and the owner of a rental home in Poipu, noted that much of the island was spared significant damage. He said he keeps a spare generator and solar water heater at the property in case of power outages, and he urged potential visitors to check with the owners of their properties about whether they should still come.

There are countless images on the web of devastation, so Im not trying to gloss that over, White said. Im just trying to add a little more balance to it. It's a beautiful day here. Guests can still walk to Poipu Beach. There are bathrooms that work. The waters running.

Kelly Kakalia, co-owner of The Musubi Truck, a Kauai food truck business, said she is not overly worried about the interruption to tourism.

I would be silly to say tourism doesnt drive our economy, she said, but our island needs time to rest and rebuild and make sure locals have power and water before welcoming back tourists.

Some want focus on community first

On Wednesday, Musubi's staff used its commercial kitchen in Wailua, on Kauais east side, to serve nearly 600 free meals. Relying on propane to cook and generators to keep food cold, they prepared poke bowls, chicken, ahi katsu and rice. A neighboring cafe owner plugged a blender into her pickup truck to make free smoothies, and a nearby brewery brought warm beer for the volunteers.

We were serving from 10:30 to 4 and there was a line the entire time," Kakalia said.

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Born and raised on Kauai, the 36-year-old said she didnt want to sell food during a time of need. The community is filled with classmates, cousins and others shes known all her life, she said.

After the kitchen got power back, Kakalia donated the generators to other families still without electricity.

As for losing any business, she said, "thats just part of it.

The community and island are more important, Kakalia said.

Diesel prices in the U.S. hit yet another record on Friday, soaring past $6 a gallon on average as Washingtons war with Iran disrupts the worlds flow of fuel.

The national average of nearly $6.06 is up from $5.85 last week and almost $3.71 this time last year, according to motor club AAA.

Higher diesel prices mean more expensive transportation for a long list of everyday goods. Thats because diesel is used for many freight and delivery networks. And some businesses have already passed along steeper costs to consumers in the form of added fees on online orders and packages in the mail.

Shoppers may feel more and more sticker shock, particularly in the grocery aisle. Perishable foods, like meat and produce, face one of the most immediate strains of expensive diesel because they need to be hauled in and restocked frequently or may be harvested using farm equipment powered by the fuel.

It can take time for those costs to trickle down. But the surge in diesel prices doesnt appear to be going away anytime soon.

RELATED STORY | US inflation accelerated in August as gas prices spiked

Prices at the pump for diesel and regular gasoline which hit nearly $4.30 on average in the U.S. Friday closely follow that of crude oil. And oil has renewed its rise recently. This week, both Brent, the international standard, and U.S. crude surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time in months as fighting between the U.S. and Iran escalated again.

Political ramifications may pile up in the meantime. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly tried to downplay the effects of the war he co-launched, said that oil prices likely wont come down until after Novembers midterm elections.

Whats driving the latest jump for diesel

American diesel prices are now over 60% higher than they were before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, when the national average sat at about $3.76 per gallon per AAA. Prices quickly climbed as the cost of crude oil the main ingredient in refined fuel like diesel, as well as gasoline soared amid supply chain disruptions across the Middle East, notably with most tanker traffic bottlenecked in the key Strait of Hormuz.

Despite some during hopes for peace earlier in the summer, oil has now renewed its climb as fighting once more escalates. And more supply disruptions are piling up. The International Energy Agency reported Friday that Saudi oil production fell to a three-decade low last month due to Houthi attacks on its energy facilities.

And elsewhere, losses in the Middle East have been amplified by the war in Ukraine, as the IEA also noted Friday. Disruptions in Russias refining system stemming from intense Ukranian attacks have nearly halted product exports.

When adjusted for inflation, fuel prices have been higher in the past. Ahead of the 2008 financial crisis, for example, diesel hit about $4.74 a gallon, equivalent to $7.20 in 2026, according to the governments latest data. And 2022s then-record of nearly $5.82 reached just months after Russia invaded Ukraine would be about $6.56 this year when accounting for inflation.

That doesnt take the pain away from todays steep prices, which are already bringing ripple effects for the economy and wider costs of living. Drivers are feeling the pain with gasoline, too.

Fridays average $4.29 for a gallon of regular unleaded is up from $2.98 before the Iran war, although still below the 2022 peak of nearly $5.02 a gallon nationwide.

Diesel has been more expensive than gasoline in the U.S. for decades, and its price has risen at a faster pace before. Some reasons include less flexibility in demand and diesels position in global commerce overall. Individual households may find ways to drive less when gas prices are high, for example, but theres fewer immediate substitutes for networks that rely on diesel to haul goods worldwide.

All eyes on food

Diesel is integral to every part of the food supply chain. It powers farm equipment and fishing boats, as well as the trains and trucks headed to grocery stores.

Fuel accounts for roughly 15% to 30% of the total cost of food, according to the Independent Grocers Alliance, a grouping of 7,500 global supermarkets. So higher diesel costs often result in more expensive groceries, although it can take a while for energy shocks to wind their way through the supply chain.

Items that need to stay refrigerated while theyre transported are often the first to see prices rise, according to David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University. In July, for example, overall U.S. grocery prices were up 2.7% compared to a year prior, but seafood prices were up 7% and fresh fruit prices were up 4.9%.

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Ortega cautioned other factors can be at play, too. Lettuce also faced higher transportation costs in July, but a drop in demand due to the cyclospora outbreak caused prices to fall.

Still, consumers could feel more of a squeeze the longer diesel prices remain high.

Early on, much of the cost increase gets absorbed along the supply chain through existing freight contracts and retailer margins, Ortega explained last week. But as contracts reprice and fuel surcharges take hold, more of that cost makes its way to the grocery store.

Fuel shocks range far and wide

Back in April, e-commerce giant Amazon rolled out a temporary 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on some third-party sellers. United Parcel Service, FedEx and the United States Postal Service also moved to add fees on some of the packages they ship earlier in the war, citing rising costs for fuel overall.

Experts warn that price hikes could mount the longer diesel remains expensive. A range of other products are also transported by diesel-powered networks, including clothing, cosmetics and furniture.

The ramifications extend beyond consumer goods. Some public transit buses and trains also run on diesel. And diesel generators are often used for backup or emergency power, if not central electricity sources in some remote parts of the world.

Experts warn the consequences could continue to deepen, particularly in African and Asian countries, which rely more on Middle East imports and have already been hit the hardest by energy shocks.

According to the latest data from Global Petrol Prices, diesel prices in Nigeria have surged over 90% since late February followed by nearly 87% in Indonesia and 80% in Lebanon.

Price tags vary widely between countries, due to factors ranging from fuel taxes to local economic conditions. As of Monday, diesel prices in Nigeria were about $4.95 per gallon (1,730 naira per liter) on average. Meanwhile, the highest sticker price reported by Global Petrol Prices was in Hong Kong, where diesel costs have jumped almost 26% during the war and averaged at $17.78 a gallon (nearly 37 Hong Kong dollars per liter) Monday.

A long road of constrained supply and perhaps higher and higher prices could be ahead.

S&P Global Energy said Thursday it now doesnt project crude oil production in the Middle East to return to prewar levels by the end of 2027.

RELATED STORY | Fed report finds rising gas prices have lasting effect on inflation expectations

The market is not returning to calm, it is adjusting to the new normal, said Jim Burkhard, VP and global head of crude oil research at S&P Global Energy, noting security and logistical challenges continue to limit oil flows.

A.B. Quintanilla, the brother of the late Tejano music star Selena, is suing their sister, Suzette Quintanilla Arriaga, and two companies connected to the familys music business.

The lawsuit, filed this week in Texas, accuses Suzette and Q Productions of failing to pay A.B. his full share of profits generated by Selenas entertainment properties.

According to the lawsuit, A.B., Suzette and other family members entered into an agreement following Selenas death governing the management of rights connected to the singer, including her name, likeness and other entertainment properties. A.B. claims the agreement entitles him to 25% of net proceeds.

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A.B. alleges he discovered in spring 2025 that he had not received all of the money owed to him. He says he requested financial records to determine how much revenue the properties generated and how profits were distributed, but alleges the defendants have not provided a complete accounting or paid him the full amount he is due.

A.B. is seeking more than $1 million, as well as asking for an accounting of Selena-related finances, payment of any money determined to be owed to him, attorneys fees and other damages.

Selena was 23 when she was fatally shot in 1995 by Yolanda Saldvar, the former president of her fan club. Saldvar remains in prison. She became eligible for parole in 2025, but the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her release.

U.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked in the wake of renewed fighting in the Middle East, underscoring the affordability challenges that are top of mind for many voters with midterm elections now just seven weeks away.

The consumer price index rose 3.4% last month compared with a year ago, the Labor Department said Friday, the same as in July. But on a monthly basis, inflation quickened, as costs jumped 0.4% from July to August, up from an increase of just 0.1% the previous month.

The figures show that inflation remains stubbornly elevated, more than five years after prices first soared as the economy emerged from the COVID pandemic. Friday's report increases pressure on the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve to boost the benchmark interest rate at a meeting next week, which could lift mortgage and auto loan costs in the months ahead.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and other officials signaled that interest rates can remain on hold only if disinflation continues and todays August report did not deliver that, said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide.

Worsening inflation isn't all due to spiking gas costs. Prices for appliances, car repairs, and wireless phone services also jumped last month. And economists worry that more expensive fuel can spill into other parts of the economy. For example, diesel prices have hit record highs above $6 a gallon, which pushes up the cost of shipping for groceries and other goods delivered by truck.

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Airline tickets rose 2.7% on a monthly basis, according to the new data, and have soared more than 23% from a year earlier.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices were 2.4% higher in August than a year ago, down slightly from July's 2.5% and the third straight decline. But on a monthly basis, core prices rose 0.3% from July to August, the largest increase since April.

The larger-than-expected monthly increase in core prices will likely embolden those Fed officials who have pushed for higher interest rates. Wall Street investors now see a more than 80% chance that the Fed will increase rates Sept. 16, according to CME Fedwatch, a 10-point jump from yesterday.

The Trump administration is seeking to counter voter concerns about high prices and rising interest rates. President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised $5,000 payments to every American adult if the GOP keeps a majority in Congress, a move that would require congressional approval and could stoke inflation. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stepped up buybacks of Treasury bonds in an effort to keep longer-term interest rates lower. Yet on Thursday the yield on the 10-year Treasury reached a nearly three-year high, though it declined in early trading Friday to a still-elevated 4.9%.

What has gotten more expensive

Gas prices jumped 3.9% just from July to August, Friday's report said, leaving gas prices more than 27% higher than a year earlier. Prices at the pump have jumped further this month, which means inflation is likely to worsen next month. The nationwide average cost of a gallon of gas on Friday leapt more than 7% from a month ago to $4.30.

In addition to rising plane tickets, hotel room prices climbed 2.4% just from July to August and are 3.2% more expensive than a year ago. Wireless phone services, appliances, and car repairs also got more expensive last month.

RELATED STORY | Fed report finds rising gas prices have lasting effect on inflation expectations

Apparel and grocery prices were unchanged from July to August, providing some relief to consumers, though eggs moved 2.9% higher last month. They are still down sharply from a year earlier.

Inflation as one-time shock or something more

Many economists and Federal Reserve officials have long considered higher gas prices one of several one-time shocks that are lifting inflation, along with tariffs and surging investment in AI data centers. For months, the hope has been that as the war against Iran wound down, and the effects of tariffs faded, inflation would grind lower.

Yet there are few signs of the Iran war cooling, and even Trump has said gas prices won't retreat until after the midterm elections in November. And while Trump's trade fight with Canada will impact a small number of imports, it is a reminder that tariffs remain a threat that could push up other costs.

This is not one and done, said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide. It's unclear when tensions in the Middle East are going to settle down. ... This seems like it could be a prolonged disruption.

While core prices are rising more slowly than overall prices, more expensive oil and gas could spread through more of the economy. Pricier jet fuel will likely push airfares even higher, and more expensive diesel will raise shipping costs, which could make groceries and other goods shipped by train and truck more expensive. On Thursday, a wholesale price report showed a jump in chemical prices, likely a result of more expensive oil.

Federal Reserve widely expected to lift rates

Friday's report has spurred many economists to pencil in a rate hike at the Fed's next meeting Sept. 15-16. Chair Warsh suggested he was leaning toward a rate hike in a high-profile speech two weeks ago, but he did not commit to doing so at a specific time.

Warsh has said he doesn't want to tip his hand about his next moves, leaving some uncertainty going into the meeting.

The Fed left its key rate unchanged at its last policy meeting in late July, but three officials voted in favor of hiking by a quarter point, which would have increased it to about 3.9% from 3.6%.

Republicans opened the second and final day of their midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday knowing that history is not on their side this election season, but counting on President Donald Trump to propel voters to protect their House and Senate majorities.

They're also setting the stage for what could come next in a post-Trump era, as Vice President JD Vance takes the primetime speaking slot just ahead of the president and following a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative leader who was assassinated one year ago. Vance has not said whether he will run for the White House, and Trump has yet to name an heir apparent.

With Republican control of Congress at risk this November and the next presidential election two years away, voters are still assessing their options.

Weve got a deep bench, said Bruce Johnston, 62, who drove 29 hours with his son from Delaware to be in Dallas. I mean youve got a lot of good candidates. Id pick any of those for the primary. And well get a good one.

His son, Anthony, 33, said he believes Vance is being groomed as Trump's successor.

No ones Trump, he said. But I like him a lot.

RELATED STORY | 'Pretend that I'm on the ballot': Trump courts Republicans at unusual GOP midterm convention

Republicans hope to avoid midterm losses in November

More immediately, however, Republicans face a potential reckoning this fall.

They are struggling to bolster enthusiasm for congressional GOP candidates and laboring to overcome voters concerns about the economy and the war with Iran. While many Republicans skipped the confab at American Airlines Center, others still see solidarity with Trump as their best shot at winning, despite the presidents low approval rating.

They spent the first night denouncing Democrats as extremists and Trump capped Wednesday by making the outlandish promise of $5,000 to each American adult if his party wins. Such a proposal could cost more than $1 trillion and was roundly panned by budget experts and even some Republicans in the president's party.

The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president, Trump acknowledged during a lengthy primetime speech.

But he framed the election as a referendum and encouraged voters to cast their ballots as if they were voting for him: Pretend Im on the ballot.

House Democrats, in Texas for a second day of counterprogramming, blasted the Republicans convention as an opulent spectacle for an out-of-touch president.

As Donald Trump and JD Vance party away for two days, the average American family cant afford the groceries, said Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif. Donald Trump does not care about the average American family or about affordability.

Protesters chanting say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trumps not welcome here marched down streets, but were stopped by police from getting too close to the site.

RELATED STORY | Trump says Iran War will end after the midterm elections

Republicans are showcasing accomplishments and eyeing 2028

Vances keynote will be closely watched for any hints about his political aspirations. The vice president has demurred on whether he will run for president in 2028, but hes widely expected to run.

Chants of JD, JD, JD broke out at Vances meeting with delegates from presidential battleground states Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and his home state of Ohio, according to one attendee.

The vice president, who also serves as the Republican National Committees finance chair, raised $2 million for the party earlier Thursday at a fundraiser in Dallas, according to a person familiar with the event who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The second night of the convention showcased some of the most electorally endangered Republicans in Congress and those challenging Democrats in tough races, as well as another potential presidential hopeful: Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who railed against liberal Democrats.

We must stand and defeat the communists, Cruz thundered to cheers. We must stay America.

Coming on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the evening marked that moment, as the crowd waved American flag placards. It also produced a video tribute to Kirk, who co-founded the conservative group Turning Point USA and was assassinated on this day last year at an event in Utah.

His voice has only grown louder, said Lucas Miles, a pastor and vice president at Turning Point. Charlie is gone, but the mission lives on.

The night's themes delved into what House Speaker Mike Johnson calls the Contrast for America, as Republicans showcased what they call their Big Beautiful Bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, and warned of a bleak future if Democrats take control.

The campaign slogan is a throwback to another Republican leader, Newt Gingrich, offered a Contract with America. This time, rather than presenting a detailed list of priorities, Republicans are drawing a contrast with the Democrats, who they contend are too far left and would focus on investigating the Trump administration.

Republicans have been quick to portray all Democrats as in line with their most liberal candidates, particularly a new generation, some backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.

"It truly is a contrast between common sense and crazy," Johnson said. "We cannot and we will not allow them to take the majority in Congress."

Trump hopes the convention will help GOP buck historical trends

With the Republican majorities in the House and Senate both at risk this fall, the presidents agenda for his final two years in office is also at stake. The margins in Congress are expected to be narrow, with a few seats in a shrunken map of competitive races determining the outcome.

Presidents past have acknowledged their midterm losses Barack Obama called his 2010 setbacks a shellacking, George W. Bush labeled his a thumping.

But Trump often refuses to accept defeat, including his false claims that he, rather than Joe Biden, won the 2020 election. One of the many people he pardoned for their actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, former Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, appeared at the convention.

Trump on Wednesday predicted that the great American majority is going to stand up and continue to Make America Great Again. And we will make our voices heard, perhaps like never before.

If you haven't been watching the U.S. Open, now a would be a good time to tune in.

It's a historic race on both the men's and women's side, set to feature two African-American athletes in the men's singles semifinal: Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.

Scripps News spoke with online sports journalist Christian Basnight about the state of the bracket and what it means for the U.S. Open and for the history of tennis as a sport.

"There's a lot of historic implications with this semifinal between Ben and Frances. Of course they're trying to become the first American since Andy Roddick male American to win a Slam since the 2003 U.S. Open, and of course, trying to become the first African-American slam champion since Arthur Ashe in 1968," Basnight said.

"History will be made in this match regardless of the outcome. It's the first semifinal between two Black American men, and also the winner of the match will be the first African-American man to reach the U.S. Open final in 54 years. Also the first Black Slam finalist, African-American Slam finalist, in 30 years since Mal Washington."

MORE U.S. OPEN NEWS | Shelton stuns Alcaraz in 3:33 a.m. U.S. Open epic, latest finish in tournament history

"I really can speak to the importance of this as a Black African-American man who grew up playing tennis," Basnight said. "It was obviously still a predominantly White sport growing up. There weren't that many Black men on the Tour, so representation is important. I think these two, Ben and Frances, will do a lot to inspire other young Black men and women, also to take up a racquet and participate in this wonderful sport."

Watch the full interview with Basnight in the video above.

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Key figures from Europes space industry and other international players have converged on Paris to discuss how to advance the continents ambitions in a global market dominated by the United States.

The two-day International Space Summit that started Wednesday gathers officials, astronauts, researchers and industry leaders from about 120 countries to discuss the future of the space industry and pursue potential business deals.

Europe is taking its destiny into its own hands, including in space, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a message posted on X. He called for innovation and investment to build a powerful Europe, independent even in space.

Heres what to know about Europes efforts to compete in the global space race.

Europe seeks to build up sovereign space capabilities

Macrons space summit underlines his push to reduce Europes reliance on the U.S. for vital tech services, which extends to space launches as well as satellites for communications and reconnaissance.

European nations have sought to build up their sovereign space capabilities since 2022 and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which highlighted how Elon Musks Starlink satellite communications service has become both a critical partner for Kyiv and a potential vulnerability.

MORE SPACE NEWS | NASA's newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe

Immediately after the war erupted, there were initial doubts about whether the billionaire would continue to fund Starlink services in Ukraine. Reports said Musk refused to let Starlink to be used to support an attack on a Russian naval base in 2022.

The European Union is working on a sovereign satellite constellation called Iris2 that is designed to rival Starlink by providing secure communications and connectivity to the 27-nation blocs citizens. However, its not expected to be fully operational until 2030.

Another inflection point came this year after the Iran war broke out and U.S. satellite imaging companies Planet Labs and Vantor started withholding images of the conflict region in the Middle East, apparently to prevent adversaries from attacking the U.S. and allies.

The Middle East conflict has fueled demand from countries for their own satellite imaging capabilities, said Emiliano Kargieman, CEO of Satellogic, which signed a deal earlier this year to supply Portugal with two high-resolution imaging satellites.

For Europe theres a lot at stake, the director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), Josef Aschbacher said. Satellites are really being utilized day in, day out. Its what we call a critical infrastructure, therefore extremely important for every citizen.

The United States is far ahead in the race

The United States remains the global leader in the space sector, with NASA conducting major exploration missions and overseeing the Artemis program, which aims to establish a human presence on the moon.

Musks rocket company, SpaceX, has transformed the commercial launch industry by making reusable rockets operational, lowering costs and increasing the frequency of launches.

Meanwhile, Amazon launched its first internet satellites in 2025. The company plans to deploy more than 3,200 satellites to provide broadband service around the world. Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos also established the rocket company Blue Origin.

SpaceX and Blue Origin canceled plans to attend the Paris summit, the French government said. News outlet Politico reported that the White House had urged U.S. space companies not to attend because it could appear to support European Union policies.

There can be tensions, as well as technological competition between major powers, particularly the United States and China, a French presidential official said, speaking anonymously in keeping with the presidencys customary practices. We do have strengths, but we can see that things are accelerating and that much more money is needed.

Ariane is the flagship of Europes rocket industry

The Ariane program allows Europe to launch satellites through missions including the Galileo navigation system, the Copernicus Earth-observation program and military and scientific satellites.

Ariane also operates commercial missions. Since the beginning of the year, the most powerful version of the rocket, Ariane 64, successfully put in orbit 100 Amazon Leo satellites in three launches as part of a contract for a total of 18 launches.

But Ariane, which relies on multiple European nations, requires complex logistics. The core stage of the rocket is assembled in France, while its upper stage is built in Germany with the support of hundreds of subcontractors across Europe.

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Rocket components are transported by cargo ship across the Atlantic to Europes spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, well-located for missions to geostationary orbit.

The rocket is also expendable, making it more expensive to operate than reusable competitors. There are only a handful of launches a year in contrast to more than a hundred flights annually for SpaceXs Falcon 9 rockets.

The continent needs more launch capabilities

European leaders are trying to build up domestic space launch capability so that the continent is less dependent on SpaceX rockets.

Musk has indicated that the company plans to wind down Falcon rockets and replace them with the bigger Starship, but space industry executives worry there could be a gap that could result in a launch crunch in a few years.

Not being able to put your own satellite into orbit is a huge problem for Europe, said Kargieman.

China has its own launch capacity and Europe still doesnt have a high-cadence, low-cost launch capacity, similar to SpaceX. This will undoubtedly be on everyones minds at the summit, he said.

However, German startup Isar made a major breakthrough on Saturday in European efforts to catch up with SpaceX, when it successfully launched a rocket carrying satellites into space from Norway. It was the first such launch for a commercial European space company.

Aschbacher, the head of the ESA, said Europe should also build up its strength in space exploration. One topic we discuss in particular is should Europe also build up astronaut flight capabilities? he said. That means bringing our own astronauts, with our own rockets or our own crew vehicle, to lower orbit and eventually beyond.

Oil prices keep climbing as the war with Iran keeps clogging the global flow of crude, and they leaped Thursday to their highest levels since before the summer. That worsened worries about inflation and cranked up pressure within the bond market, helping to send stocks lower again on Wall Street.

The S&P 500 fell 0.6% for a fourth straight loss, its longest such streak since June, though its not far from its all-time high set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 316 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7%.

Stocks sank under the weight of rising oil prices. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed another 6.3% and briefly topped $108 per barrel for the first time since May before settling at $107.63.

Its jumped from less than $72 in early July as hopes fade that the war with Iran will allow oil to flow freely again from the Middle East anytime soon. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that oil prices likely wont come down until after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

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The jump has vaulted the price for a gallon of regular gasoline to an average of nearly $4.28 across the United States, according to AAA. Thats up nearly 34% from a year earlier and is not only costing people more at the pump but also through higher prices for all kinds of products that move by truck to store shelves.

A report on Thursday said inflation at the U.S. wholesale level accelerated to 5.4% last month from 4.8% in July, and retailers could eventually pass such increases in prices onto shoppers. A report is coming on Friday that will show how much inflation U.S. consumers are feeling.

The typical move to rein in high inflation is for the Federal Reserve to raise its main interest rate, the federal funds rate. Such a move then filters out through the rest of the bond market, makes it more expensive for U.S. households and businesses to borrow money, slows the overall economy and undercuts prices for investments. That hopefully would remove some of inflations fuel.

A report on Thursday suggested the U.S. job market may remain solid, with fewer workers applying for unemployment benefits last week. That could give the Fed more confidence that the economy could withstand higher interest rates.

Following Thursdays reports, traders see a roughly 73% chance the Fed will raise the federal funds rate at its meeting next week. Thats up from the 61% probability seen the day before, according to data from CME Group. Thats also despite Trumps consistent lobbying for interest rates to go lower rather than higher.

The Feds counterpart in Europe, the European Central Bank, raised its own interest rates on Thursday in hopes of getting inflation in check. It cited the conflict in the Middle East and how it continues to generate inflation pressures.

It all pushed the yield on the 10-year Treasury up to 4.95% from 4.83% late Wednesday, which is a significant move for the bond market.

Its up from just 3.97% before the war with Iran began and is back to where it was in the autumn of 2023. That was after the Fed cranked the federal funds rate higher to get super-high inflation coming out of the COVID pandemic under better control.

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Higher yields mean investors can make more money putting their money into bonds, which can in turn make investors less willing to pay high prices for stocks and other investments that are riskier than bonds.

Some investors see a 5% yield on the 10-year Treasury as the next potential flashpoint. But strategists at Bank of Americas Research Investment Committee suggest 7% may be the more important threshold, pointing to peaks for expensive stocks around that point in the past.

In the meantime, the rising 10-year Treasury yield is making mortgages more expensive and hurting the housing industry. One report on Thursday said the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate hit its highest level in over 14 months, while a second one said sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in August to their slowest pace in more than a year.

That helped sent stocks of homebuilders lower, including drops of 3.5% for Lennar and 2.4% for D.R. Horton.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, Macys fell 4.7% even though the retailer reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. While raising its forecast for earnings this fiscal year, it warned that there are macroeconomic and geopolitical factors that could influence how much its customers feel comfortable spending.

Macys said it received $116 million in tariff refunds from the government $98 million during the quarter and another $18 million after the quarter ended. Macys CEO Tony Spring told The Associated Press Thursday that its using some of the proceeds to lower prices on certain items like furniture and other big-ticket purchases.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 44.66 points to 7,591.70. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 316.56 to 52,064.10, and the Nasdaq composite sank 171.62 to 26,081.72.

In stock markets abroad, indexes slipped across much of Europe and Asia. Hong Kongs Hang Seng dropped 1.3% for one of the worlds biggest moves.

Omaha Steaks is slashing its menu and expanding its retail footprint as beef prices continue to soar.

The business will trim its offerings from 500 items down to about 120 and put more focus on cheaper cuts of meat, as consumers are now paying about 27% more for beef than they did three years ago.

The 109-year-old company plans to double its retail footprint over the next two years and open about 80 locations.

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Beef costs are getting national attention: The Trump administration is waiving tariffs on some imported beef with the goal of making groceries more affordable.

The president's beef import plan, according to the White House, would "ensure affordable beef for American consumers in light of current supply challenges."

But it's drawn quick backlash from conservative rural-state Republicans, who raised alarms about the plan's impact on ranchers.

Ive advised President Trump against this course of action for a year because American ranchers have been struggling against the packer monopoly for decades, and this will further harm them most of whom are MAGA Republicans, Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., said on social media.

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One of the organizers who said she was sexually abused by Latino labor leader Csar Chavez decades ago has sued nonprofits tied to him.

The complaint filed last week in Southern California is the first legal action since the explosive allegations surrounding Chavez were first reported by the New York Times in March. The newspaper also first reported the complaint in Kern County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Filed on behalf of a Jane Doe, it names the Csar Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers Foundation as defendants. Both organizations are accused of failing to investigate complaints over the years about Chavez. They are being sued for several violations including negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress and sexual harassment. The woman was moved to go to civil court after learning more about the scope of Chavez's alleged abuse of girls and women, including labor figure Dolores Huerta.

The Associated Press does not name victims or survivors of sexual assault and abuse unless they come forward publicly.

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This has been a long time coming for her to take this step, V. James DeSimone, one of the attorneys representing her pro bono, told the AP. Shes committed to the process and is grateful she can legally do something about this all these years later. She suffered a lot over the years. It continues to cause her stress and anxiety.

DeSimone says he expects to hear from other abuse survivors.

The woman, now in her 80s, first met Chavez when she moved to California's Central Valley after graduating college, according to the suit. Inspired by a previous summer volunteering there, she wanted to join in organizing farm workers. In 1973, she and her family were among several workers who moved into the compound in Keene that was the offices of the organization now known as the United Farm Workers.

She says Chavez tried to ply her with alcohol and dance with her at a party that year. He later followed her to her home and raped her in a bedroom. A few years later, she said Chavez assaulted her again.

The woman believes the United Farm Workers Foundation and the Csar Chavez Foundation in previous years made concerted efforts to hide evidence of sexual harassment and sexual assaults of girls and women by UFW members and leaders, including Csar Chavez. Women in the movement were verbally attacked by Chavez's top lieutenants and accused of trying to ruin the movement if they spoke up about him or their safety, according to the suit.

She is asking for a jury trial and damages including for past and future earnings as well as punitive damages.

The Csar Chavez Foundation, in a statement, said it only recently became aware of the complaint. We are reviewing with our legal counsel and will respond in a way that stays true to our mission and values.

When claims about Chavez's behavior first came to light, the foundation called them shocking and painful. The organization also vowed to stand by the victims and achieve restorative justice.

To the survivors: we believe you. We honor your courage, and we are very sorry for the harm you have carried in the shadows for so long, the foundation said back in March.

The UFW Foundation did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The United Farm Workers union, which is not named in the complaint and operates separately, declined to comment.

Chavez continued to be the face of workers rights until his death in 1993. In the wake of the sexual abuse revelations, Chavez's storied legacy was dismantled practically overnight. Csar Chavez Day celebrations planned around his March 31 birthday were immediately canceled or postponed. State and local governments began to rename schools, streets and other places that honored him.

DeSimone, a workers' rights attorney who once admired Chavez, said they are not looking to stop these nonprofits from carrying out their missions. But, they said, survivors are owed accountability and a sense of closure.

No matter how noble, no cause, no organization, should be above the law, DeSimone said. Sexual abuse and assault are not the price you should have to pay for it.

Seat belts and a flight attendant call button from the doomed United Airlines Flight 93. A purse filled with keys and a wallet recovered from the World Trade Center site. The telephone that sat on U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson's desk when his wife, Barbara, called from a hijacked airplane.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is honoring the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks this week with displays of dozens of rarely seen objects that tell the story of that day in often searingly personal terms.

The exhibit, which runs through Saturday, comes as the museum is under growing scrutiny by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress over the manner in which it tells American history.

The Smithsonian began collecting items just months after the attacks and regularly displays some of them throughout the sprawling museum along the National Mall. But this week's exhibit is unique as the items are displayed on tables, rather than seen through glass. The museum's director, Anthea Hartig, said some of the items being shown this week are "so fragile they'll probably never go on display."

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The goal, she said, is to help visitors "both never forget, but also kind of reconnect" as a new generation emerges that didn't experience the attacks.

"This has truly slipped into history rather than being part of our memory landscape," she said.

Some of the items, including a beeper belonging to an employee who worked on the 97th floor of the South Tower, harken back to office life at the turn of the century. A candy dispenser from the Pentagon includes melted chocolate.

The museum has faced conservative criticism since the White House released a report on Independence Day branding the museum's leadership as radical activists. Hartig faced two days of congressional hearings in July, where Republicans argued the museum should present a more unifying version of American history, prompting concern from historians that lawmakers and the White House were more interested in revisionism than accurate history.

Trump later ordered his administration to install signs in front of the museum telling visitors that some of the exhibits are inaccurate. More than a month later, such signs have not been installed.

In an interview, Hartig said the scrutiny didn't influence how the Sept. 11 exhibit came together.

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"This museum exists as a repository, as a place of memory," she said. "And so the current political moment is like many other political moments that we document. There's different opinions and contestation over how we do our work."

More change could be ahead after Lonnie Bunch announced his plans to step down as the leader of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch and Bunch's successor will be chosen by a Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, a bipartisan group of lawmakers and so-called citizen regents.

Hartig acknowledged that "leadership transitions are always complicated."

But, she said, "I wake up every day confident in Americans' ability to embrace the complexities of their past."

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and home prices.

Existing home sales fell 2% last month from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. This is the third straight monthly decline.

Sales also fell 1.2% compared with August last year. The latest sales tally is just shy of the 4 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

"It's not a surprise home sales and mortgage rates move in the opposite direction and we have seen mortgage rates rising, rising, rising from February," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist.

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Home sales have been mostly hovering close to a 4-million annual pace going back to 2023, far short of the historic norm that is closer to 5.2-million. The last time the annual sales pace came in below 4 million was June 2025.

Despite the latest pullback, existing U.S. home sales are running 1.6% higher through the first eight months of this year than they were in the same stretch of 2025, NAR said.

The housing market has been stymied in large part by rising borrowing costs, as mortgage rates have marched higher in the months since the war between the U.S. and Iran started in late February. Expectations of higher inflation amid surging oil prices have pushed up the long-term bond yields that lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, driving mortgage rates higher.

The average rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage hit 6.76% this week, its highest level in more than 14 months. It briefly dipped below 6% before the war started.

Yun noted that rate could soon reach 7%, given that mortgage rates tend to follow moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which is at levels not seen since late 2023. The yield was at 4.92% on the bond market as of Thursday morning.

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Even as sales slowed, home prices continued to rise nationally last month. The U.S. median sales price increased 1.6% in August from a year earlier to $429,100, an all-time high for the month of August based on data going back to 1999, NAR said. Home prices have risen on an annual basis for 38 months in a row.

The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat last year, stuck at a 30-year low.

Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market. And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump.

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Many of the homes purchased last month likely went under contract in July and June, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.43% to 6.66%.

Regionally, sales fell last month from July in the Northeast, Midwest and South. Sales were flat in the West. Prices, meanwhile, continued to rise in the Northeast faster than the rest of the country, climbing 4.3% from August last year amid a shortage of homes on the market relative to other regions.

The sales slowdown is leading to unsold properties sitting on the market longer, helping boost the number of available homes.

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Although home inventory levels remain well below historical norms, there were 1.62 million unsold homes at the end of last month, up 3.2% from July and up 5.9% from August last year, NAR said. That's still short of the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, August's month-end inventory translates to a 4.9-months' supply at the current sales pace. That's the highest level in over 10 years. Traditionally, a 4- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

The increase in homes for sale gives home shoppers who can afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay all cash a wider selection and potentially, more leverage in negotiating better sales terms.

In August, the national median home listing price fell 1.2% from a year earlier, while roughly 20% of listings had their initial price lowered, according to Realtor.com.

First-time buyers accounted for 30% of home purchases last month, up from 29% in July and 28% in August last year, NAR said. Historically, first-time buyers make up closer to 40% of home sales.

Affordability remains a primary concern for home shoppers, as home prices, mortgage rates, property taxes and insurance costs are now significantly higher than a few years ago, noted Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

The trends are also putting pressure on homeowners eager to sell.

"It's not a good time to sell your home," Long said. "Americans are hitting the pause button on homebuying."

An appeals court on Thursday upheld a block on President Donald Trumps executive order limiting mail voting, a decision that comes as the Supreme Court considers the same case and states have already started sending out ballots for the high-stakes midterm elections.

The three-judge panel refused to lift a preliminary injunction against the order issued last week by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. It prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from implementing Trumps directive. The Postal Service has said it would not deliver ballots from states that did not pre-clear their envelope design with the federal government and submit a list of voters to an online portal, which has yet to be activated.

Election officials warn that its impossible to comply with those terms, especially with the first mail ballots arleady being sent out in Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

The panel of three judges nominated by former President Joe Biden agreed with the plaintiffs that the president does not have the power to regulate states election policy.

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Appellants have not made a strong showing that the district court erred in determining that the Final Rule is likely unlawful, they wrote, a reference to rule published by the Postal Service to implement Trumps order.

The panels decision comes even as the Supreme Court is already considering the same case, which is part of a frenzied legal rush as states are beginning to send out mail ballots for this falls midterm elections. Democrats and civil rights groups in a separate lawsuit in Washington, D.C., also are trying to halt the executive order.

The 1st Circuit also had upheld a previous hold Talwani placed on the executive order. But that ruling was lifted by the Supreme Court in a procedural decision that did not determine whether the plan was constitutional.

The plaintiffs swiftly filed new lawsuits after the Postal Service finalized its rule governing mail ballots.

What started as a typical Sunday evening for a Milwaukee-area family quickly turned into a shocking discovery over Labor Day weekend: a four-foot boa constrictor hiding under the hood of their car.

When it first moved, I literally screamed and jumped and said, No, that is alive, and it is definitely a huge snake, homeowner Windy Tuck said.

Tuck said her husband was working on an older car parked outside their home when the family noticed something unusual near the engine.

At first, we thought it was a dirty hose, Tuck said. Then it turned around and started looking at us.

The couple quickly backed away from the vehicle and began searching for help.

I was in panic mode, Tuck said. My anxiety level shot through the roof. I didnt know who to call, what to do.

After contacting authorities, the family was directed to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), which then contacted reptile rescue expert Cindy Steinle, founder of Small Scale Reptile Rescue.

Steinle said she immediately recognized the snake from photos as a boa constrictor a species not native to Wisconsin.

This is my most unique boa, Steinle said, noting she has rescued more than 100 boas during her more than 30 years working with reptiles.

The snake appeared healthy, Steinle said, but removing it from the engine compartment required some strategy.

Basically, what I did was I climbed up on the hood of the car and just kept irritating the snake and tickling it till it started moving, she said.

The rescue took about 10 minutes, and no one was injured.

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How the snake ended up in the car remains unclear. Steinle believes it may have been someones escaped or abandoned pet not an illegally owned animal.

She said one possible explanation is the snake escaped from an improper enclosure. Steinle said many reptile owners mistakenly use fish aquariums with screen tops instead of secure reptile cages with locking doors.

A snake like this can easily pop a screen top and get out, Steinle said.

She said anyone who encounters a reptile or exotic pet they do not believe belongs in the wild should contact local animal control or an animal rescue organization, rather than trying to handle the animal themselves.

If you find a reptile in the wild that you dont think belongs there, call MADACC, Steinle said.

The boa will remain at MADACC during a mandatory stray hold period. If no owner comes forward, Steinle said the snake will eventually be put up for adoption.

As for Tuck, she said she hopes she never experiences anything like it again.

Not something I ever want to experience again, she said.

This story was originally published by Mike Beiermeister with the

Scripps News Group in Milwaukee.