Daily Briefing: The people of 'South Park' apologize
"South Park" tore into President Trump.
Trump's visit marked just the fourth time a president has visited the Federal Reserve headquarters.
WWE icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
'South Park' creators 'apologize' for latest episode
The day after one of the most controversial episodes in the show's history, 'South Park' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone said 'we're terribly sorry" for the ruckus they caused. The Season 27 premiere of 'South Park' blasted President Donald Trump, showing him literally getting into bed naked with Satan, and referenced their Paramount bosses' settlement with the president, the '60 Minutes' flap and the surprise cancellation of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." It all followed an agreement between Paramount and the "South Park" creators for 50 new episodes and a lucrative new streaming deal on Paramount+.
Trump's visit to Fed is latest twist in feud over interest rates
President Trump and Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell clashed as they toured ongoing renovations of the Fed's headquarters, with the chairman correcting the president over the scale of cost overruns.
It's not unprecedented for U.S. presidents to push for lower interest rates boost the economy. But no president has tried to bully a Fed chief as persistently and overtly.
Hard hats on: Trump has relentlessly criticized Powell for not lowering interest rates, labeling the Fed chairman "too late" for holding interest rates steady.
Why the costly reno? The Fed has said the more than 33% increase in cost was due to design changes, costs of materials, equipment and labor and other 'unforeseen conditions' such as more asbestos than anticipated and toxic contamination in soil.
Trump said the cost overruns are not something to be fired over. Powell has cited anticipated rising inflation from Trump's massive tariffs on imports as a reason to keep the rates unchanged. Inflation accelerated in June, the highest annual inflation rate since February.
More news to know now
Trump heads to Scotland on Friday. Golf is likely on the agenda.
Israel and the U.S. recalled teams from Gaza truce talks.
Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell met with the DOJ.
A college sports executive order addresses NIL and pay-for-play.
What's the weather today? .
Blistering heat may grip your city this weekend
An unrelenting heat wave that has baked the Midwest for days promises temperatures approaching 100 degrees in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on Friday. Record high temperatures are "likely to be challenged" in parts of the Northeast over the next two days, meteorologists said, and all regions affected are also likely to see some record warm minimum temperatures broken. A "heat dome" has mixed a cocktail of high heat and humidity to push heat indices over 100 degrees in many areas.
Advocates for homeless react to executive order
'The safest communities are those with the most housing and resources, not those that make it a crime to be poor or sick ... People need stable housing and access to healthcare. Rather, Trump's actions will force more people into homelessness, divert taxpayer money away from people in need, and make it harder for local communities to solve homelessness."
~ Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center, in reaction to Trump's executive action on Thursday making it easier for cities and states to remove homeless people from the streets.
Today's talkers
Candace Owens responded to a defamation lawsuit filed by the French president and first lady.
In "Sorry Baby," Eva Victor crafts comedy out of trauma.
RFK Jr. works out in jeans. We tried it. It didn't go well.
The complications of "penis filler" are horrifying doctors.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift "had some adventures this offseason".
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend, dies at 71
Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71 after suffering cardiac arrest. Considered one of the most popular pro wrestlers of all time, Hogan was instrumental in the rise of pro wrestling's popularity, considered one of the first larger-than-life personas. He influenced several stars that joined the business after him.
Column: Hogan changed wrestling. His legacy won't be remembered for it.
Hogan was not immune to controversy and criticism, from a racist tirade/sex tape to abuse of power within pro wrestling.
Hogan's five most memorable movie roles. (He got crushed in "Rocky III").
Photo of the day: Alone at the front of the pack
Tadej Pogačar didn't win the hardest stage of the 2025 Tour de France on Thursday, but the defending champion and this year's favorite showed again that there's likely nobody capable of taking the yellow jersey from him. Riders had to overcome 5,450 meters in climbs up three different summits.
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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'South Park', Trump, Powell, interest rates, inflation, Fed, Hulk Hogan, heat wave, Taylor Swift: Daily Briefing
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