Broadcasting services squeezed
Rural TV and radio stations face public media cuts
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects the final decision on billions of dollars in spending cuts likely late Wednesday or early tomorrow. The proposal slashes about $9 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, and foreign aid agencies including the World Health Organization and U.S. Agency for International Development. President Donald Trump's May 1 executive order called for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting to 'cease direct funding" to NPR and PBS. But some in the GOP worry about the impacts on rural areas.
Is the 'tariff shock' finally here?
In recent months, critics of President Donald Trump's tariff campaign have braced for an unwelcome rise in the inflation rate.
That moment may have arrived. Prices rose 2.7% in the 12 months through June, the Labor Department announced July 15. It's the highest annual inflation rate since February and a sign that Trump's import taxes may be finally raising consumer prices, as many forecasters predicted.
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Detainees go to new lengths to raise funds to cover legal fees
In a photo on OnlyFans.com, a former model from Colombia smiles under a white visor as she sunbathes in South Florida. But the image is far from her current reality: She's locked up in an ICE detention center in Louisiana. The cost of deportation defense can run into the thousands of dollars, and this woman is among a growing number of immigrant families that are using online fundraising to make ends meet. A USA TODAY analysis of fundraising efforts of one of the nation's largest crowdsourcing sites, GoFundMe.com, found dozens of campaigns that have raised more than $1.8 million since President Trump took office, the majority in the past two months. "The Blonde that Shouldn't Get Deported" spoke with USA TODAY via video call from the ICE facility where she is detained.
More rain, flooding expected in parts of New Jersey
Cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic were inundated by heavy rainfall that swamped roads, knocked out power and prompted water rescues this week. Video posted to social media showed a New York City subway station inundated with fast-moving floodwaters as passengers watched from inside a train, lifting their feet to avoid the water rushing into the subway car. In McLean, Virginia, just outside Washington, videos showed cars stuck in floodwaters. In New Jersey, two people were killed in flash flooding. Authorities issued a flood watch Wednesday for portions of central, northern and northwest New Jersey through late tonight.
Today's talkers
The Emmy nominations are here. Who got snubbed?
While plenty of stars were celebrating after the 2025 Emmy nominations were announced Tuesday, there were inevitably some deserving and celebrated actors and TV shows left out from the list of nominees. While Martin Short gets to check off his yearly nod for Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," his costars Steve Martin and Selena Gomez didn't have the same luck. And "Paradise," Hulu's post-apocalyptic thriller starring Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden, surprised with major drama category nods, likely pushing out previous nominees including "Yellowjackets," "Squid Game" and "The Handmaid's Tale." Here are the most jaw-dropping stars and TV shows to miss out on nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Photo of the day: National League reaches for the win
After finishing nine innings all tied up, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night was decided by a swing-off for the first time, with the National League emerging victorious after blowing a six-run lead over the final three innings.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.
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US House poised to send stablecoin bill to Trump after 'crypto week' drama
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