Headlines news summaries — Page 21
Essential facts and source links for recent headlines stories.
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Texas Rangers sought Camp Mystic owners’ communications in probe of 27 flood deaths
Texas Rangers are probing possible manslaughter, negligent homicide or child abandonment charges after 27 Camp Mystic campers and counselors died in the July 4, 2025, flood. They sought the owners’ electronic communications; no charges have been filed. -
Opinion: Corsino-Blair calls for monthly phone-free gatherings to ease loneliness
Annette Corsino-Blair says weakened social spaces contribute to loneliness and urges local organizations to host monthly, free or low-cost, phone-free gatherings for a year. The 2025 WHO report she cites says roughly one in six people worldwide experience loneliness. -
DNA from Jefferson’s hair adds evidence he fathered a child with Sally Hemings
DNA from Thomas Jefferson’s hair, compared with samples from living descendants of Sally Hemings’ sons, showed a 99.9% chance he fathered a child with the woman he enslaved, researcher Richard Kurin told TODAY. The result adds to earlier evidence. -
Louisa Moats’ LETRS course reached 700,000 enrollees in 2025; student impact remains uncertain
Louisa Moats’ LETRS course grew from fewer than 25,000 enrollees in 2020 to 700,000 in 2025, Lexia says. As science-of-reading laws spread to 42 states and D.C., its effect on student reading remains uncertain; study results are not expected until 2029. -
DoorDash driver shooting: ICE agent who fired was hired last year and wasn't wearing bodycam, reports say
Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, was shot once in Austin on Sunday while making deliveries. Reports citing DHS officials say the ICE agent who fired was hired last year and was not wearing his issued body camera. -
Miliband says US aid cuts have ended America’s role as global aid ‘anchor’
IRC chief David Miliband said US aid cuts have ended America’s role as the global aid system’s “anchor,” but improving the lives of the most vulnerable remains solvable. He said the Trump administration’s $60bn USAID cut last year directly cost 700,000 lives. -
University of Kentucky tests voluntary face scans at residence halls
The University of Kentucky has installed Alcatraz AI facial-recognition scanners at several Lexington residence halls for a test. Participation is voluntary for now; the company says the system is meant to help security detect tailgating. -
Three George Floyd siblings seek records on fundraiser said to raise about $19 million
Zsazsa, LaTonya and Rodney Floyd are seeking financial records for the GoFundMe organized by their brother Philonise after George Floyd’s death. Their attorney’s letter says it collected about $19 million and argues the siblings, as heirs, are entitled to part of the funds. -
Star Meat Delivery recalls about 167,639 pounds of meat over false USDA marks
Star Meat Delivery is recalling about 167,639 pounds of uninspected raw pork, beef and goat products nationwide, all bearing a false USDA mark. The USDA classified it as a Class I recall; no related illnesses or injuries have been reported so far. -
Mediaite opinion piece challenges AP’s lynching framing of Tasia Fortune’s death
A Mediaite opinion article accused an Associated Press video about Tasia Fortune, found hanging in a Mississippi tree on Aug. 3, of framing her death around lynching history. The writer says Fortune’s mother saw no racial motive and claims both people charged in the killing are. -
Sully Sullenberger describes early memory changes after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in August 2025. In his first interview since disclosing it in July, he described trouble recalling names, forgetting things and repeating himself. Monthly infusions are intended to slow, not stop, the disease. -
Phil and Penny Knight give $1 billion to launch University of Oregon engineering college
Phil and Penny Knight are giving the University of Oregon $1 billion to create the Knight College of Engineering, the largest gift in the school’s history. The university has not offered a traditional engineering degree; the college will broaden its work beyond bioengineering. -
Federal judge dismisses Michigan antitrust suit accusing oil firms of curbing EVs and renewables
Judge Jane Beckering dismissed Michigan’s antitrust suit accusing BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute of conspiring to hinder electric vehicles and renewable energy. She said the alleged conspiracy was too remote to link to energy overcharges. -
At the UN, Pezeshkian says Iran will not yield but still believes in diplomacy
On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would never surrender but still believes in diplomacy, after Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran the day before. He described Iran’s military actions as defensive and said Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. -
Report: Trump brushed off ballroom architect’s fire-code concerns
The Post reports James McCrery II left the White House ballroom project in October 2025 after repeatedly warning that Trump’s early design had inadequate exits and fire protection. The White House says code concerns did not prompt his departure. -
Pezeshkian to speak at U.N. amid Trump threat and first U.S.-Iran talks since June
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York Wednesday as officials from the warring countries held their first mediated talks since June, a day after President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “annihilation.” -
Federal action is still needed before 19 states can adopt permanent daylight saving
Nineteen states have enacted laws favoring permanent daylight saving time, but none can take effect without federal action. The Senate has not scheduled a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, so Americans are likely to turn clocks back an hour on Nov. 1 unless Congress acts. -
Russian attacks on Ukraine prompt Poland and Romania to scramble jets
Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets as Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight, officials said. Both alerts ended after about an hour with no reported airspace violation; Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 161 drones. -
UV light reveals a blue-green glow in preserved platypus fur
Fur on preserved platypus specimens that appears brown in ordinary light glowed blue-green under ultraviolet light, the article reports. It calls the fluorescence another mystery but does not identify the researchers or explain how they tested the specimens. -
Dolly Parton estate obtains temporary order against nephew Bryan Seaver
Dolly Parton’s estate obtained a temporary restraining order against nephew Bryan Seaver after he was fired as head of security on Sept. 16. A lawsuit alleges he threatened to damage her brand and made violent threats against staff. -
Poll puts Trump approval at 35% as Democrats lead ballot by 14 points
An Economist/YouGov poll released Sept. 22 found President Donald Trump’s approval fell five points in a week, to 35%, erasing five weeks of gains. Among likely voters, Democrats lead Republicans by 14 points on the generic congressional ballot ahead of November’s midterms. -
Midterm trail puts possible 2028 presidential contenders in view
Possible 2028 contenders are using the midterm trail in states with early presidential contests to build profiles and test support. Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, JD Vance and Ted Cruz are in focus, though many have not decided whether to run. -
U.S. fuel prices and mortgage rates climb as inflation rises during Iran war
Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, U.S. gas prices have climbed from just under $3 to about $4.50 a gallon, inflation has risen from 2.4% to 3.4%, and average 30-year mortgage rates have topped 7%, NBC News reports. -
Mortgage rates hit a nearly two-year high, with more than the Fed at play
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose last week to its highest level in nearly two years, but the Fed does not set it directly: it tends to follow 10-year Treasury yields, which are influenced by inflation expectations, oil prices and other forces. -
Trump cites U.S.-Iran meeting as oil falls and stock futures rise
U.S. stock futures edged up Wednesday as oil fell after Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met at this week’s U.N. General Assembly. S&P 500 and Dow futures gained 0.1%, while Nasdaq futures were flat; Brent fell 0.3% to $98.99 and U.S. crude 1.1% to $89.84 a barrel. -
Williams, Daniels and Dart face uncertain returns after Week 2 injuries
Three NFL quarterbacks were hurt in Week 2: Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a reported Grade 1 hamstring strain but not ruled out Sunday; Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow. Reports say Jaxson Dart could miss the rest of the season after a knee injury. -
Trump, Denmark and Greenland sign pact for wider U.S. military role
Trump and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland signed a deal Tuesday allowing expanded U.S. military activity on the island. It reaffirms Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination, but needs parliamentary approval to take effect.
