National
Friday, July 17, 2026 · Dillingham Census Area & Bethel Census Area Region
Heat alerts cover 111 million Americans ahead of July Fourth
An expansive heat wave will blanket much of the central and eastern United States this week, with weather officials placing 111 million people under heat alerts during the Independence Day holiday period.
Power Outages Hit Sevastopol After Ukrainian Strikes
Ukrainian forces struck Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, causing widespread power outages. The Moscow-installed governor said some areas would remain without electricity for hours.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Supreme Court Upholds Deportation Authority for Green Card Holders; DOJ Withdraws Reporter Subpoenas
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the government may deport green card holders convicted of certain crimes. The Justice Department separately withdrew subpoenas it had issued to reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Student Loan Repayment Rules Shift Starting Wednesday
Student loan borrowers will encounter altered repayment requirements and fewer income-driven repayment programs starting Wednesday. The changes also expand the maximum amounts borrowers can take out.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Three firefighters die, two injured while battling wildfires on Colorado-Utah border
Three firefighters died and two others sustained injuries while fighting wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border. The Cottonwood Fire, the largest active blaze in the region, expanded to more than 144 square miles by Saturday as flames spread through canyons and mountainsides.
Friday, July 17, 2026
U.S. Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Children as Legal Cases Mount
Juries returned verdicts against Meta Platforms and Google in cases involving young users, marking a shift in how American policymakers and legal systems address children's social media use. Other nations have implemented stricter rules, and U.S. advocates point to the rulings as evidence that domestic policy should follow.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Federal appeals court restores Trump administration's expanded deportation authority
A federal appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to resume an expanded version of expedited removal, a deportation process that bypasses traditional immigration hearings. The administration views the expansion as central to carrying out its mass deportation policy.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Federal Student Loan System Undergoes Restructuring Starting July 1
The federal student loan system will shift starting July 1, altering repayment structures and borrowing limits for millions of Americans. Some borrowers face higher monthly payments while others encounter new caps on loan amounts and modified forgiveness pathways.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Trump cites $30,000 in 401(k) gains; Fidelity data shows $9,454 increase
President Trump said 401(k) account balances rose by $30,000 during his second term. Fidelity Investments data shows average balances increased by $9,454 over the same period.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Supreme Court to Revisit Rights of Prisoners to Sue Federal Officials
The Supreme Court agreed to hear Nielsen v. Watanabe, a case that challenges the scope of a decades-old doctrine allowing individuals to sue federal officials for constitutional violations. The case hinges on whether a prisoner can sue staff for denying medical care.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Mamdani-backed candidates win New York congressional primaries, defeat two incumbents
Candidates supported by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won Democratic primary elections for U.S. House seats, defeating two incumbent members of Congress. The wins mark a shift in representation for the affected districts.
Friday, July 17, 2026
U.S. and Iran Trade Accusations as Diplomatic Framework Strains
President Trump accused Iran of breaching a framework agreement between the two countries, prompting Iranian officials to threaten an end to negotiations. The exchange reflects deepening tensions as violence continues between Israel and Hezbollah.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Trump directs Justice Department to investigate oil companies over gas prices
President Donald Trump instructed the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate oil companies, saying they have not reduced gas prices at the pump in line with falling crude oil costs.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Iranian Drones Strike Bahrain; Vessel Hit in Strait After U.S. Military Response
Iranian drones attacked Bahrain and struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, following U.S. airstrikes. The incidents threaten shipping operations in one of the world's most critical maritime passages.
Friday, July 17, 2026
U.S. Lifts Oil Sanctions on Iran as Nuclear Negotiations Continue
The U.S. Treasury Department has authorized Iranian oil sales through August as negotiations continue on a final nuclear accord. The move represents a shift in sanctions policy during active diplomatic discussions.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Oil Prices Return to Pre-Conflict Levels as Middle East Tensions Ease
Crude oil prices have fallen back to their pre-conflict levels after a spike in February disrupted energy production and transportation across the Middle East. Analysts attribute the decline to resumed operations in the region.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Using Social Security Database for Voter Rolls
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from accessing a database containing Americans' Social Security numbers and citizenship status to screen voter rolls. The decision prevents the government from using the federal database for voter purge operations.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Trump highlights economic record during Pennsylvania plant visit
President Trump visited a Mack Trucks plant in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where he focused his remarks on economic accomplishments from his previous time in office rather than outlining future policy proposals.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Senators push military healthcare system to cover autism therapy
Two senators have called on the military's health insurance program to add autism therapy to its standard benefits after NBC News reported that service members and retirees faced obstacles obtaining coverage for the treatments.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Heat Warning Continues as Record Temperatures Begin to Break
Officials prolonged an extreme heat warning Friday as a record-breaking heatwave persists across the region. Meteorologists predict relief arrives Sunday as temperatures drop and unsettled weather moves in.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Former Trump adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified documents
John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, entered a guilty plea to charges involving the mishandling of classified materials. Prosecutors say he faces a maximum five-year prison sentence.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Cass Report Author Backs Puberty Blocker Trial to Prevent Harm
Dr. Hilary Cass, author of a major report on gender medicine for children, defended a proposed puberty blocker trial, saying the research would prevent more harm than it causes.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Vance cancels Switzerland trip for Iran talks amid escalating Lebanon violence
Vice President-elect JD Vance postponed planned travel to Switzerland for negotiations with Iranian officials, as military clashes in Lebanon threatened to unravel fragile diplomatic efforts.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration's Voter Verification System Unlawful
A federal judge found the Trump administration's SAVE voter verification system unlawful. The tool has already processed information on tens of millions of voters.
Friday, July 17, 2026
UN halts evacuation operations in Strait of Hormuz after projectile hits vessel
A United Nations agency suspended its evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after the British military confirmed a projectile struck a vessel off Oman's coast. The incident followed the passage of several tankers using a UN-backed corridor.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Qatari mediators pressed ahead with U.S.-Iran negotiations despite military escalation
Mediators from Qatar continued brokering talks between the U.S. and Iran on June 11 even as the two nations exchanged military strikes. The mediation effort faced logistical disruptions, including a Qatari plane stranded on a Tehran tarmac, yet negotiators pressed forward.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Executive Order on Voter List
A federal judge halted an executive order President Trump signed to create a federal voter list. The decision represents the second court ruling against the administration's election oversight measures in as many days.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Trump to Meet Senate Republicans as Congress Advances Housing Bill
President Trump will meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday as Congress moves forward with its largest housing affordability package in decades. The developments come as Democrats evaluate results from a New York primary election.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Heat-Related Cardiac Arrests Rising Among Young, Fit Adults, Experts Warn
Cardiac arrests during hot weather are increasing among people outside the typical high-risk groups, according to health experts. Young and physically fit individuals face elevated risk when combining exercise with heat and alcohol consumption.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Trump's Endorsement Pattern Shifts to Earlier Races in Republican Districts
An analysis of more than 1,000 Trump endorsements across House, Senate and gubernatorial races over the past decade reveals the former president has changed when and where he throws his support. Trump now endorses candidates earlier in the election cycle and increasingly in races where Republicans hold significant advantages.
Friday, July 17, 2026